Venison Chili - Small Batch Recipe

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon oil (extra-virgin olive oil)
• 1 pound ground venison
• 1 cup chopped yellow onion
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 package (1 ounce) chili seasoning mix
• 1 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (I use Spice Merchant's VooDoo Bell Pepper Blend)
• 1 tablespoon chili powder
• 1/2 tablespoon Cajun seasoning
• 1 teaspoon dried basil
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon cocoa powder
• 18 ounces tomato juice
• 1 tablespoon garlic pepper sauce (I use Cajun Power brand)
• 1 can (4 ounces) mushrooms (drained)
• 1 can (15 ounces) pinto beans (drained)
• 1/2 cup green pepper (chopped)
• 1 teaspoon granulated sugar (up to 1 tablespoon)