Basic Beef and Bean Chili

This is a recipe I came up with by researching a bunch of other chili recipes (too many to list here!).  It seems to be a crowd pleaser--even kids like it.  Of course, when I'm trying to keep it healthy I just use the low-fat versions of sausage, beef, and cheese.  It is great on its own but most tend to enjoy it served on top of rice or with corn bread and a nice big green salad.

Basic Beef and Bean Chili

Ingredients

·      2 tablespoons olive oil

·      1 pound ground beef

·      6 ounces hot Italian sausage, casings removed

·      2 cups chopped onion

·      1 cup chopped bell pepper (any color)

·      5 garlic cloves, minced

·      1 jalapeño pepper, chopped (with seeds)

·      1 ½ tablespoons chili powder

·      2 tablespoons brown sugar

·      1 tablespoon ground cumin

·      1 teaspoon dried oregano

·      ½ teaspoon ground pepper

·      ½ teaspoon salt

·      2 bay leaves

·      3 tablespoons tomato paste

·      1 cup beef broth

·      ¼ cup red wine

·      1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce

·      1 (28-ounce) can crushed tomatoes

·      2 (14.5 ounce) cans diced tomatoes

·      1 (15 ounce) can kidney beans, drained and rinsed

·      1 (15 ounce) can black beans, drained and rinsed

·      Grated cheddar cheese (for topping)

Instructions

1.    Heat olive oil in a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat.  Add sausage, beef, onions, garlic, bell pepper, and jalapeño.  Cook until meat is browned, stirring to crumble.

2.    Stir in chili powder, brown sugar, cumin, oregano, ground pepper, salt, bay leaves, and tomato paste.  Cook for about a minute, stirring constantly.

3.    Mix in broth, wine, Worcestershire sauce, tomatoes, and beans. 

4.    Bring to a boil.  Cover, reduce heat and simmer for 45 minutes, stirring occasionally. 

5.    Uncover and cook for another 45 minutes, stirring occasionally until chili is thickened.

6.    Sprinkle each serving with grated cheddar cheese.

This post is linked up to : Simply Delish Saturday