DINNER: Put-a-Ring-On-It Three Bean, Beef Chili

This recipe will result in the best chili you have ever had...period. I can brag about this recipe because Whole & Heavenly Oven.  I made a few tweaks to the recipe, and voila, I made my first chili! My Nebraska-born husband said it is the best chili he has ever tasted, and if we weren't already married, it might drive him to put a ring on it!
the base recipe isn't mine. I modified it from a great food blog,

Servings: 7-10

Ingredients

• 1 pound lean ground beef (I used 97% lean ground beef made at my local butcher)
• 1 medium onion, diced
• 1 red bell pepper, finely chopped
• 2 jalapeno pepper, seeded and finely chopped
• 5-6 cloves garlic, finely chopped
• 3 roma tomatoes chopped roughly (think small cubes)
• 2 tablespoons chili powder or cayenne pepper...no more, no less
• 1.5 teaspoons sugar (brown or white)
• 1⁄2 teaspoon ground cumin 
• 1 20-25 ounce jar tomato sauce (and plain pasta sauce will do - I used the basil-tomato pasta sauce I had in my cupboard)
• 8 ounces of tomato paste (I prefer jarred paste for health reasons)
• 1 1⁄2 cups water
• 1-2 cups of broth (chicken, veggie or beef all work)
• 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
• 1 (15 ounce) can light red kidney beans
• 1 (15 ounce) can chickpeas
• 1 (15 ounce) can black beans
• 1⁄2 teaspoon salt
• 1 tablespoon black pepper
• Toppings: shredded cheese, sour cream, onion, olives, cilantro (any one or all of the above)

Instructions

1. In a large saucepan, saute onions and garlic for at least 3-5 minutes or until onions brown
2. Add jalapeno and bell pepper and continue to saute for at least 3-5 minutes
3. Add ground beef- begin to separate it immediately. 
4. Add chili powder (or cayenne powder), cumin, and 1/2 tbsp of black pepper. Cook for at least 7-10 minutes.
5. In a pot, add diced tomato, tomato sauce, tomato paste, water, and broth. Add ground beef mixture and beans. 
6. Add 1/2 tbsp of black pepper, salt and apple cider vinegar to the pot. Simmer uncovered for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.  If too thick, add a little more water or broth. If too thin, cook on high until the broth reduces.
7. Enjoy! Be sure to add toppings. I really like cheddar cheese and olives with a side of nicely toasted sourdough bread, but the choice is yours!