Full Flavor Amazing Chili
Ingredients
- 2 1/4 lbs ground chuck
- 5 slices bacon, crumbled once cooked
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 green bell pepper, small dice
- 1 yellow bell pepper, small dice
- 1 red bell pepper, small dice
- 1 medium yellow onion, small dice
- 5 garlic cloves, crushed
- 3 tablespoons chili powder
- 1 1/4 teaspoons dried chipotle powder
- 2 tablespoons ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 bay leaf
- 2 (28 ounce) bottles beer, Amber Bock
- 1 (28 ounce) can stewed tomatoes, chopped
- 1 (6 ounce) can tomato paste
- 2 teaspoons dark brown sugar
- 1 lime, juice of
- 1 (16 ounce) can red kidney beans
- 1 (16 ounce) can pinto beans
- 1 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
- salt & pepper
- 1 cup cheddar cheese, shredded, for garnish
- 1 cup green onion, chopped, for garnish
- 1/2 cup fresh cilantro, chopped, for garnish
Instructions
- Brown ground beef in a large saute pan, until cooked through. Drain well and set aside.
- Wipe pan dry and brown bacon. Remove bacon, set aside, and drain out all but 1 tablespoon of bacon grease.
- Add 1 tablespoon olive oil to pan. Saute onions, peppers and garlic until soft (about 10 min).
- Heat a large pot over medium heat. Add onions, peppers, garlic, meat and spices. Stir to combine, cook for about 3 minutes.
- Add bay leaf, tomatoes with liquid, tomato paste, beer, lime juice, and brown sugar, and crumbled bacon. Allow to cook until foam subsides, while stirring.
- Cover pot and lower heat to a simmer. Simmer covered for 1 hour, stirring occasionally, until thickened slightly.
- Drain and rinse beans. Add beans and 1 cup cilantro to pot. Check and adjust seasoning, if needed, with salt and pepper. Cook an additional 45 minutes to an hour, until thickened.
- **If not thickened enough, a mixture of cornstarch and water can be added, increasing heat and stirring constantly until thickened.
- Remove bay leaf, and serve with desired garnishes.
