Enjoy this pizza base topped with homemade chili and garnished with candied jalapeños that will make your taste buds do a happy dance.

Serves 8

•  1 lb (450 g) pizza dough
• 2 1/2 cups homemade chili (recipe below)
• 1/4 cup candied cowboy jalapeños, for topping
• sliced scallions, caramelized onions, or additional beans, for topping (optional)

Homemade Chili

• 1 Tbsp olive oil
• 1 medium onion, diced
• 1 lb (450 g) lean ground beef
• 2 1/2  Tbsp chili powder
• 2 Tbsp tomato paste
• 2 Tbsp sugar
• 1 Tbsp garlic powder
• 1 1/2  tsp sea salt
• 1/2  tsp coarsely ground black pepper
• 1 1/2  cups beef broth (or water + 1½ tsp beef broth powder)
• 1 15-oz (425-g) can fire-roasted diced tomatoes
• 1 15-oz (425-g) can red kidney beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 8-oz (225-g) can tomato sauce
• 1 Tbsp lemon juice

If using frozen pizza dough, allow dough to defrost at room temperature for 3 hours or overnight in the refrigerator.

To prepare the chili, heat the oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add onion and cook for 5–7 minutes, until soft and translucent.

Add ground beef and cook for 6–7 minutes, breaking it apart until browned and crumbly. Add chili powder, tomato paste, sugar, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Stir until combined. Add broth, tomatoes, beans, tomato sauce, and lemon juice and stir well.

Bring to a low boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 20–25 minutes, uncovered, stirring occasionally until the mixture is reduced and thickened. Remove pot from heat. Allow mixture to rest for 5–10 minutes. Set aside.

Preheat oven to 450°F (230°C).

Roll the dough into an 18-inch (45-cm) circle on a flour-dusted piece of parchment paper, then place it on a baking sheet, pizza pan, or stone. Spread the chili over the pie, leaving a 1-inch (2½-cm) border.

Place the baking sheet on the center rack of the oven and bake for 15–20 minutes, until the dough is golden brown.

Remove pizza from the oven and top with candied cowboy jalapeños and your choice of additional toppings.

Note: Leftover chili can be frozen or served in different ways. Try it in a bun as a sandwich, on a wrap with additional toppings, or served over rice or spaghetti.