Tracy in PA: First of all, good luck with your surgery. When I read your request, I immediately thought of this old family tried and true recipe for Chili Con Carne. More simple than most recipes for chili:

Chili Con Carne

3/4 lb. chopped beef
3/4 cup chopped onions
1 can red kidney beans
1 1/2 c. tomato juice (I prefer a can or two of tomato soup)
1 1/4 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. pepper
Dash of cayenne
3/4 tbsp. chili powder

Cook meat and onions until browned. Add remaining ingredients; simmer gently for 15 to 20 minutes. Six servings. This recipe used to be on the Ann Page can of red kidney beans. Can size mentioned was1 lb. 5 oz. Recipe in my box was faded and written in my own dear mother's hand-writing. Brings back memories. I prefer grated rather than chopped onion. This freezes well. You could freeze without the beans and add them later. Or, you could use this recipe w.o. the beans as a basic ground beef for several casseroles, including Shepherd's Pie.

http://www.nancyskitchen