Spicy Pineapple Pork Chili (Recipe)

This spicy chili has a surprise: pineapple chunks that add a refreshing note of coolness to the heat.  Reduce the amount of chiles for a less spicy stew.

Ingredients

1 pound lean boneless pork, trimmed of fat and cut into 1-inch cubes

1 cup dried small white beans, rinsed, drained, and picked over

1 cup hot water

1 (14 1/2 ounce) can diced tomatoes in puree

1 (6 ounce) can tomato paste

1 (20 ounce) can unsweetened pineapple chunks, drained, juice reserved

1 (4 ounce) can diced green chiles

1 medium onion, chopped

1 tablespoon chili powder

1 tablespoon ground cumin

1/2 teaspoon garlic powder

Steps

1.  In a 3 1/2 quart electric slow cooker, combine the pork, beans, hot water, tomatoes with their liquid, tomato paste, juice drained from the pineapple chunks, chiles, onion, chili powder, cumin, and garlic powder.  Mix well.

2.  Cover and cook on the low heat setting 8 1/2 to 9 hours, until the pork and beans are tender, stirring once halfway through the cooking time, if possible.  Stir in the pineapple chunks and serve.