All-American Chili

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All American Chili

Ingredients

• 1 lb ground sirloin
• ½ lb hot Italian sausage
• 1 large onion, chopped
• 1 red bell pepper, chopped
• 8 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 jalapeno pepper, chopped
• 4 tablespoons chili powder
• 3 tablespoons brown sugar
• 1 tablespoon ground cumin
• 3 tablespoons tomato paste
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• ½ teaspoon fresh ground pepper
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 2 bay leaves
• 1¼ cups merlot (or beef broth)
• 2 (28 ounces) cans diced tomatoes, undrained
• 2 (15 ounces) cans kidney beans, drained
• 1 (15 ounces) can pinto beans, drained
• ½ cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese

Procedures

1. Heat a Dutch oven over medium-heat.
2. Remove casings from sausage.
3. Add sausage, onion, bell pepper, garlic, ground sirloin, and jalapeno to pan
4. Cook 10 – 12 minutes
5. Add chili powder, brown sugar, cumin, tomato paste, oregano, pepper, salt, bay leaves
6. Stir in wine, tomatoes, kidney beans, and pinto beans; bring to boil.
7. Cover, reduce heat, and simmer 1 hour, stirring occasionally.
8. Uncover and cook for 40 minutes
9. Discard the bay leaves.
10. Sprinkle each serving with cheddar cheese.