I may be in the minority here but I am a big fan of canned chili. It all started in college when I had very little money and a very big appetite. I would kick back with a can of Kelly's chili, some black pepper and a slice of cheese on top, feeling like life couldn't get any better. Ah, the good ole days! Since then, my tastes have refined and I can now afford more expensive food but I still enjoy a cheap can of chili on a cold winter evening. I have tried almost all the brands (I think Kelly's changed their recipe a few years back so now I gravitate toward Hormel and even some store brands) and I have experimented with several different ways to transform the humble can into something spectacular. Here are a few of my findings.

Heat!

Spice!

Where's the beef?

Fresh Vegetables.

The Cheese Please!

Other Toppings.

With the economy in such bad shape and grocery budgets stretched to the max, maybe it's time for a canned chili revival? Try a couple of my ideas and experiment with your own. You might just find that canned chili can become a special meal treat in your own personal food chain.