Game Day Chili

 

Football season is upon us and I'm starting to feel like cooking for fall, even though the temperature outside is still hanging out in the upper 80's this week. Once fall hits I like to make lots of soups and chili's. I love the convenience of dumping stuff in my crock pot in the morning and coming home to a hot dish of whatever after work. This is good the first day but superb on the second day so I try to cook it on a day that I'm home and able to fix something else for dinner so that I can eat this the next day. Serve it with warm bread or cornbread and some Fritos. 

You can mix up the bean to meat ratio to fit your family and I usually just use whatever I can dig out of the pantry. Don't feel locked into the chili beans if that isn't what you normally buy, it's fairly spicy even without the seasoned beans.  The ingredient list is kind of lengthy but everything is probably something that you already have in your kitchen. Don't be scared...it's worth it! I promise. :)

Game Day Chili
Serves 12

2 lbs lean ground beef
1 lb Italian sausage
3 cans chili beans; drained
1 can spicy chili beans
2 28 oz cans diced tomatoes with juice
1/2 c. ketchup
1 large yellow onion; chopped
3 stalks celery; chopped
1 green bell pepper; chopped
1 red bell pepper; chopped
3 large jalapeno peppers; chopped. Seed 1 1/2 leave the seeds and ribs in the other 1 1/2 jalapeno
1/2 c. bacon bits
4 t. beef bouillon
1/2 c. water
1/4 c. chili powder
2 T. Worcestershire sauce
1 T. minced garlic
1 T. dried oregano
1 T. cumin
2 T. Tabasco original

2 T. chipotle hot sauce
1 t. dried basil
1 t. salt
1 t. ground black pepper
1 t. cayenne pepper
1 t. sugar

1 t. liquid smoke

1 t. smoked paprika

1. Brown meat in a large skillet and drain off fat. Reserve 1-2 T fat 

2. Cook down vegetables until onion is translucent
3. Mix all ingredients in a large (6 qt) crock pot.
4. Cook on high for 6 hours or low for 12 hours. (really best if made the day before serving)
5. To serve ladle into bowls and top with grated cheese and sour cream. Serve chips on the side.

Entered in The Texas Star Chili Cook Off 2011 Check it out!!