I like all sorts of chili: beans, no beans, red, green, you name it. If you think chili MUST have beans, try this one out before you make up your mind. This is the Texas entry from "Chili Nation."
1 c. chopped onion
2 minced garlic cloves
2 lb. beef round, cut into 1/2 inch cubes
1 1/2 t. salt
1 T. sugar
1 1/2 t. pepper
1 1/2 teaspoon Mexican oregano (regular oregano will do if you can't find Mexican, but I recommend the Mexican if at all possible)
1 T. ground cumin
5 T. chili powder (good stuff! Not McCormick bullshit!)
1 1/2 teaspoons red jalapeno powder (you can leave this out if you're a wuss; if you're a big-time hot food freak, double it)
15 oz. tomato sauce
1 T. masa harina (corn flour) dissolved in 1/2 c. water
Saute the onions and garlic in a bit of vegetable oil. Chcuk in the beef and brown it up. Put in all the spices, the tomato sauce, and 1 1/2 cups of water. Stir it up, bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer. Cook partially covered for 70 minutes. Stir in the masa harina mixture, and simmer 5 minutes longer.
Serve with beans on the side if you want, but don't actually put beans IN it.
GOD DAMMIT NOW I'M HUNGRY FOR CHILI.