1/2 lb. beef (either random cheap cut, cut into small-ish pieces, or hamburger)
1.5 onions, chopped
mushrooms (any kind, sliced/fresh or dried shiitakes/broken up), optional
1/2 head garlic, crushed or minced
1 can chili beans
1 can diced tomatoes (14 oz)
1/2 can tomato paste
1 T. chili powder
3 T. vinegar (I use cider, but white, or red wine should work too)
chipotles in adobo, to taste (I start with 1 T. combined chipotle & sauce and add from there)
garlic salt, to taste
liquid smoke (optional, 1/2 - 1 t if you use it)
Sear beef or brown hamburger. Add onions and brown. Brown fresh mushrooms, if using (if using dried, add to pot with tomatoes). Put in large saucepan (about 3 qt.) and add remaining ingredients. You can wait to add tomato paste to see if needs thickening; or you can add it up front and add water to thin a little if needed.
Simmer on low heat until flavors meld and beef is tender (at least a half hour). Top off with a little more vinegar if it's lost its zing.
