Only they care about whether their food is lowbrow or not. And we are the ones with rich, pretentious buttholes.

That said, my recipe is just as simple as hers. I throw in a few extras in the vegetable department at times, usually to use up what needs using up...green peppers, mushrooms, corn, etc. Chili is not meant to be trifled with. You vary too much with the recipe and honestly you have a different soup--it isn't chili anymore. I don't like weird stuff in there either. No venison, gator, or any other kind of meat except good old fashioned American fed, bred, and raised cow. On the thicker side as far as consistency goes--add V8 or tomato juice if it's a little too thick

Add a nice cornbread on the side and a little dollup of sour cream, cheese on the top--all served over rice and you are set for a fall/winter's night. I think I know what I'm doing tomorrow with my leftover ground beef I cooked up.
