Jennifer's Chili

 LOVE this recipe.  I created it myself because I could never find a really flavorful chili that I liked.  Hope you guys enjoy it too!  You can substitute ground turkey for the beef, but I have found the nutritional values in at least 90/10 beef and ground turkey are not much different.

Jennifer’s Chili

• 2 pounds ground beef
• 1 lb Italian Sausage
• 2 cans kidney beans
• 2 Tbsp Olive Oil
• 1 onion, chopped
• 1 green bell pepper, chopped
• 1 red bell pepper, chopped
• 8 cloves garlic, crushed
• 3 Tbsp Balsamic Vinegar
• 1 Tbsp Worcestershire
• 1 Tbsp cocoa powder
• 1/2 tsp cayenne
• 2  tsp ground cumin
• 1 tsp dried basil
• 1 tsp sugar
• 1 tsp oregano
• ¼ Cup chili powder
• 1 Tbsp paprika
• 2 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1 Tbsp salt
• ½ Cup water
• 2 – 28 oz cans of tomato puree
• 2 – 28 oz cans of crushed tomato

DIRECTIONS

1.    Brown beef and Italian sausage.  Drain and set aside.

2.    Put olive oil in a large saucepan over medium heat, sauté onions and green peppers until onions are clear. 

3.    Add chopped garlic.  Sauté another 2 minutes.

4.    Add Worcestershire, cocoa powder, cayenne, cumin, basil, sugar, oregano, chili powder, paprika, black pepper, and salt.  Stir well.

5.    Turn heat up to medium high for one minute. 

6.    After one minute, add balsamic vinegar.  Stir until vapors from vinegar are gone (about 2 min).

7.    Add ground beef and sausage to pot.  Stir well.

8.    Add tomato puree and crushed tomato one can at a time.

9.    Add beans if desired.

10.                       Simmer on low for at least 4 hours.