Whistle Stop Chili

INGREDIENTS

• 1 cup chopped onion
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 2 tablespoons cooking oil
• 1 1/4 lbs lean ground chuck
• 14 1/2 ounces beef broth
• 15 ounces tomato sauce
• 10 ounces Rotel tomatoes & chilies, drained
• 1/4 cup uncooked old fashioned oats
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• 1/4 cup chili powder
• 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 30 ounces canned pinto beans, drained
• saltine crackers (optional)
• grated cheese (optional)
• hot pepper sauce (optional)