Let the Wintertime cuisine commence!!

Winter=Chili...what else is there to say about that?  Each time I make chili there is always a tweak here and there, again, I think now I have found the KING of all chili recipes.  If there was ever a cookout...this would be my entry!  

All prepped and ready to get my Chili on!!

This recipes starts with a large stock pot or Dutch oven over medium heat...once hot, throw in your bacon pieces and cook until crisp. Next, add in the onions, garlic, bay leaves and spices...saute for a few minutes.  Then throw in your ground meat and break it up with a wooden spoon as it cooks...

Now its time to get the party started for real with some beans and beer...ah yes.  I chose Fat Tire, before, during and after this wonderful winter meal :)

Throw in your beans and beer and mix it up a bit, 

then add the tomatoes.

That's it!  Now your ready to turn down the heat, simmer your chili (just shy of 2 hours) and drink so more beer!

After simmering, taste for seasoning before serving (as if you haven't been 'tasting it' for the last 2 hours...haha) and serve however you LOVE your chili best.  I like mine with a little cheddar, green onions and just a dollup of sour cream.  And a prefer a hearty bread to crackers.  How do you like your chili?

This chili is truly a work of art and what's more is it makes a HUGE batch.  Plenty to freeze for later when you are dying for a chili fix but short on precious time!

6 slices thick-cut applewood smoked bacon, cut into 1/2-inch pieces

4 cloves garlic, finely chopped

2 medium onions, finely chopped

1 red bell pepper, chopped

1 yellow bell pepper, chopped

3 tablespoons chili powder

1 tablespoon ground cumin

1 tablespoon chipotle chili powder...let me know if you can actually find this anywhere!

2 teaspoons dried oregano

1/4 tsp dried cilantro

1 tsp dried basil

~1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped fine

1 tablespoon smoked paprika

Salt and freshly ground black pepper

1 pound 85 percent lean ground beef

1 pound ground turkey

1 cup beer (recommended: Fat Tire or Stella)

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

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

1 (24-ounce) can crushed tomatoes

1 (24-ounce)+1 8ozcan diced tomatoes, with juice

Directions

In large heavy-bottomed Dutch oven, cook the bacon over medium heat until lightly crisp, stirring occasionally. Once the bacon is browned, add the garlic, onions, bell peppers, chili powder, cumin, chipotle chili powder, oregano, dried cilantro and chopped fresh parsley and smoked paprika and season with salt and pepper, to taste. Cook until the vegetables are tender and seasonings are aromatic. Add the beef and break it up with a wooden spoon. Once beef is broken up and beginning to brown, add the pork. Break up with wooden spoon like the beef, and brown, until no longer pink, roughly 4 minutes. Stir in the beer and beans. Toss together, then add the crushed and diced tomatoes. Turn the heat down to low and simmer for 1 1/2 hours. Taste for seasoning and add salt and pepper, if necessary.

(Original recipe-Click here)