In half an inch of olive oil, saute until soft: 3 chopped onions,

3 chopped green peppers, and 3 large cloves of finely chopped garlics.  In another pan, brown 1 or 2 lbs of chopped beef.  Drain the fat from the beef and add the beef to the onions and peppers.

Now add 1 or 2 cans of tonatoes and 1 can of tomato paste and 2 to 6 tbs of chili powder (you can always add more, so start off easy).

Add 1 tbs of sugar, a tiny bit of salt, pepper and paprika, 2 bay leaves, a tsp of cumin, a tsp of basil and a pinch of cayenne pepper.

Simmer all this for at least half an hour until it is good and thick.  Then add 1 or 2 cans of kidney beans.

Serve this on rice and top it some chopped raw onions.  (Makes 6 to 8 servings.) 

from The Alice's Restaurant Cookbook