1 lb. ground beef
1 lg. onion, diced
1 green pepper, chopped
1 (28 oz.) can tomato puree
1 lg. bay leaf or 2 sm. ones
1 to 2 tbsp. chili powder
1 to 2 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. cayenne pepper
1/4 tsp. paprika
1 c. water
1 beef bouillon cube
1 (15 to 16 oz.) can kidney beans, rinsed & drained
1 cinnamon stick

1. Brown ground beef in a large pot. Drain off fat. Add onion and green pepper, cook until almost tender.

2. Add tomato puree, seasonings, water, bouillon cube and beans. You can also add a few generous shakes of the Tabasco bottle.

3. Simmer very gently for 2 hours, adding more water if it seems too thick. Serves 4 to 6.