Slow Cooker Chili (Lots of Beans, Little Meat)

It is so great to make meals in a slow cooker early in the day and let the flavorful aromas make your house smell like a cool winter day.  This is a perfect recipe for when you are going to be gone or outside most of the day.  My house smells like Wisconsin in winter!  Perfect!

1 pound ground beef (80-85% lean)
3/4 cup diced onion
3/4 cup diced celery
3/4 cup diced green bell pepper
2 cloves of garlic, minced
2 (10.75-ounce) cans tomato puree
1 (15-ounce) can dark red kidney beans with liquid
1 (15-ounce) can light red kidney beans, drained
1 (15-ounce) can cannellini beans with liquid
5 tablespoons chili powder
1/2 tablespoon dried parsley
1 tablespoon salt
1 tablespoon dried basil
1 tablespoon dried oregano
1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
1/4 teaspoon hot pepper sauce (Tobasco)

Brown ground beef and drain grease.  Put beef in a slow cooker.  Mix in onion, celery, green bell pepper, garlic, tomato puree, kidney beans, and cannellini beans.

Season with chili powder, parsley, salt, basil, oregano, black pepper, and hot pepper sauce.

Cover and cook for 8 hours on low setting. 

After 8 hours, taste and adjust seasonings as desired.  Serve with your favorite accompaniments:  cheese, sour cream, crackers, Fritos, etc.