Our Christmas Eve Tradition

We (the Cox side) started one time long ago eating chili on Christmas Eve and the next year, my younger brother said we should have chili on Christmas Eve because it was "tradition"...so it became tradition! When John and I got married, we have continued the tradition. So, still in Russia, we continued the tradition. Tonight, John looked up this recipe and it was the BEST chili ever!!!!!!! It was so good!! Here is the recipe(I will make note of things we did differently). So, we have changed the tradition to JOHN COOKS the chili!!!
Ingredients
Serves 6
1 tablespoon vegetable oil, such as safflower
1 medium onion, chopped
4 garlic cloves, chopped (used garlic salt instead)
coarse salt and ground pepper (didn't put the salt)
2 tablespoons tomato paste
2 tablespoons chili powder
2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
1 pound ground beef sirloin(used ground beef)
2 cans (14.5 ounces each) diced tomatoes in juice (didn't have this--used the remaining paste from the jar)
2 cans (14.5 ounces each) pinto beans, rinsed and drained (had only one can)
toppings, such as reduced-fat sour cream, sliced scallions, and baked tortilla chips, for serving (optional)
Directions
In a large, heavy-bottomed saucepan, heat oil over medium-high. Add onion and garlic, and season with salt and pepper. Cook until softened, 3 to 5 minutes.
Add tomato paste, chili powder, and cocoa powder. Cook, stirring, until mixture is fragrant, about 1 minute. Add beef, and cook, breaking up with a spoon, until no longer pink, 3 to 5 minutes.
Add tomatoes (with their juice) and beans. Bring to a boil over high; reduce to a simmer, and cook until chili is slightly thickened, 10 to 15 minutes. Serve with toppings, if desired.