Simple+Crockpot+Beer+Chili

Beer chili seems to be a running theme on the wiki this year, but here is my version. It's drop-dead easy and out of this world! It's been a Christmas Eve tradition in my family since I learned to make it back in college and this also serves as my [|low carb breakfast recipe]. Enjoy! @scottelias

You need:
 * 1 pkg Carroll Shelby's Original Texas Chili Kit (Yeah, I use a chili kit. It saves me worrying about having all the spices on hand.)
 * 2 pounds of ground beef (I usually use a pound of chuck and a pound of something more lean like 93/7.)
 * 1 green bell pepper, chopped
 * 1 large red or yellow sweet onion, chopped
 * 1 bottle of decent beer (Nothing "lite" or "flavored," please. Don't worry. This isn't wasting it.)
 * 1 can tomato sauce
 * 1 can red kidney beans (optional)

Cooking Instructions:
 * 1) Some time shortly after you've cleaned the breakfast dishes, you'll want to get out your CrockPot and get on this.
 * 2) Disregard the package directions with the chili mix. We're just using the spices and masa flour.
 * 3) Brown the beef. I throw in about half the onion and pepper to saute along with the beef. I don't know empirically that this does anything, but I like the different textures of the saute'd vs the non-saute'd. It's not a deal-breaker.
 * 4) Put the browned beef into the CrockPot along with the rest of the pepper and onion.
 * 5) Dump the contents of the spice packet on top along with the can of tomato sauce and bottle of beer.
 * 6) Set the slow-cooker to LOW and leave it alone for 6-8 hours.
 * 7) Email me or Tweet me to thank me for how good your house smells all day long.

An hour before you want to eat:
 * 1) Add the beans if you want 'em (I usually don't.).
 * 2) Add the masa flour to about 3/4 cup of COLD water. Shake to form what real chefs call a "slurry" and slowly stir it into your awesome chili. In the next hour, things will thicken up a bit and be less watery. If you just dump the flour into the hot chili you'll be rewarded with little balls of flour in your final concoction.

Enjoy!