I Love You but I’ve Chosen Chili (Karol Lu's cookoff-winning absolute beast of a recipe)

Discovered this on Not Eating Out in New York (IYKYK) literally 20 years ago and it remains my favorite thing to cook and eat all year long. I double the hot peppers because I am a magma-bellied rock-eater, and pretty much any veggie crumble will do; otherwise the recipe is scripture. I spotted Karol herself at Barcade once and I very nearly approached her to salute her brilliance, but I was too starstruck to proceed. What a cook. WHAT A CHILI.