Boat Food - Chili!

It's freezing around here.  That's not really a frequent occurrence waaay down here in Savannah, GA.  But it's a great excuse to make a big ole pot of chili - boat style!

I found a big pot on board (we still find random things stashed around everywhere) and got to work.  It's really an easy thing to throw together with stuff you probably have on your boat (and if you don't maybe you can add it, depending on your location).

I started by browning some ground beef (season with salt and pepper), but this could just as easily be all veggie by skipping this step.  Next up, added some roughly chopped red onion and let that soften.  I have a few cans of beans that I keep on the boat - today I opted for light red kidney beans, a packet of chili seasoning, freeze dried garlic and a can of diced tomatoes.  I keep tomatoes on the boat, too - I like to whip up a batch of tomato bisque every now and then.  You could use any type of canned tomato item - sauce, diced, whole, etc.  I also keep at least one tube of double concentrated tomato paste and added a good squirt of that to make a more tomato-y sauce.   

After that you can just let it simmer.  If you want it spicier, you can add some cayenne or crushed red pepper (I added both!).  

 While it was all cooking, I washed some big potatoes and threw them in the oven.  The bonus to all that?  I haven't had to turn the heater on yet - the oven/stove are keeping the boat nice and toasty.  :)