Smoky Chili Con Carne

Ingredients

• 1 large onion, diced
• 2-3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 orange sweet bell pepper or yellow sweet pepper, cut into large dice
• 2 stalks celery, diced
• 1 lb lean ground beef or ground chicken
• 1 lb hot Italian sausage, removed from casings and crumbled
• 5-6 tablespoons chili powder
• 1 chipotle chile in adobo, minced
• salt and pepper
• 2 (28 ounce) cans diced tomatoes, undrained
• 2 (19 ounce) cans kidney beans, drained and rinsed well
• 1 (12 ounce) can corn
• 1 (5 ounce) can tomato paste
• 1-2 tablespoon liquid smoke
• 1 tablespoon brown sugar

Directions

1. 1

   Brown Italian sausage and ground meat together over medium heat in large pot draining any excess fat.

2. 2

   Add onions, celery garlic and cook until softened.

3. 3

   Add sweet pepper for a few minutes, otherwise they are too soft.

4. 4

   Add chili powder, minced chipotle,and liquid smoke.

5. 5

   Add tomatoes, sugar and corn, mixing well.

6. 6

   Bring to boil and let simmer slowly for an hour, stirring occasionally.

7. 7

   Add kidney beans and let simmer another 15 minutes.

8. 8

   Taste and add salt and pepper if needed.