3 lbs. lean ground beef
1/4 c. olive oil or half olive and half salad oil
4 c. (1 quart) water
2 bay leaves
6 tbsp. chili powder
3 or 4 tsp. salt
6 to 8 cloves garlic, chopped fine
1 tsp. ground cumin, or more
1 tsp. oregano
1 tbsp. sugar
4 tbsp. paprika
3 tbsp. all-purpose flour (optional)
4 tbsp. cornmeal
red pepper, cayenne or pods, crushed, depending on how hot you like it

Heat oil in large pot with lid. Add meat and stir until meat is gray in color. Do not brown. Use wooden spoon to stir. Add water and simmer for 1 hour. Add salt, bay leaves, chopped garlic. Mix all dry ingredients except flour and cornmeal, moisten with warm water to make a paste. Turn burner low and add seasoning paste. Simmer 30 minutes longer. Mix flour and cornmeal in 1/2 cup water to thicken. Cook about 5 minutes.

Beans can be cooked separately and added.