My father was a cook in the Army and taught me the basics in the kitchen. My childhood baby-sitter inspired my love of cooking, too...in fact, she gave me this recipe. —Julie Brendt, Antelope, California

Editor's Note: If you like to make the chili on the stovetop, use a Dutch oven instead of a skillet to cook the beef, onion and garlic. Add the ingredients to the Dutch oven instead of the slow cooker. Bring to boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 45 minutes. Discard bay leaves.