u/mordea

▲ 215 r/Cooking

How do I improve my horrible chili?

So, I'd like some help improving my extremely basic chili. It's edible and I like it, but I recognize that it could be far much more enjoyable.

I basically brown a couple of pounds of beef or pork, throw in a couple of cans of kidney or black beans, pour in three large cans of crushed tomatoes, and add some water, garlic, salt, and pepper before heating it up. It obviously tastes too strongly of tomato. I'd like to keep it as basic as possible, but I want it to no longer taste like I'm eating meat-ketchup soup.

Please help!

Sorry, I forgot to include that I also dump a small bottle of chili powder in there.

Update: thanks for all of the advice. I'll take all of this into consideration the next time I (hopefully soon) concoct a cauldron of chili.

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u/mordea — 15 hours ago

I need help after losing work due to thyroid masses in my neck and chest

Hi everyone, my name is Cassi. I'm from Northeast Ohio. I've started GoFundMe to help me get back on my feet as I face a sudden and serious medical crisis. *I am hoping to raise $3,000 for rent, transportation, and utility bills while I'm unable to work.

About two years ago, doctors discovered masses on my thyroid. At the time, we were told they didn't need to be removed. Unfortunately, during a recent follow-up, we discovered that one of the six masses has doubled in size and is now considered suspicious for malignancy. These masses are now extending deep into my chest, putting direct pressure on my trachea and esophagus.

Because of this, I have struggled to breathe and swallow, and I am dealing with a level of exhaustion I've never felt before. I also have a parathyroid adenoma that requires attention. My daily life has become a struggle, and I've been unable to work in my position at the local school garage since early April.

I am scheduled for surgery in June. Because the masses have moved into my chest cavity, a thoracic surgeon will be present in case they need to open my chest to reach them. This makes the procedure—and the recovery time—much more complex and uncertain than we originally hoped.

While my employer has been patient, my time off is entirely unpaid. To complicate matters, my current contract ends with the school season, meaning I will need to find new employment as soon as I am physically able to work again.

I don't qualify for rental assistance and help for my utility bills won't become available until July 1st. I've tried to get short-term disability, but the process is difficult and I've been given the runaround. Any donations I receive would go toward rent, utility bills, and transportation to my medical appointments. I have very limited help with transportation, which comprises only of a family member being able to take me to surgery and procedures where the hospital requires an adult to accompany me after anesthesia.

It pains me to ask for help, but I am in a position where I simply cannot do this alone. Your support would allow me the peace of mind to focus on my surgery and recovery without the constant weight of financial ruin. Any contribution, no matter how small, means the world to me. Thanks for reading my story and for your kindness.

My GoFundMe if anyone is able to donate or share: https://www.gofundme.com/f/easing-my-path-to-healing-and-stability

u/mordea — 9 days ago