49er Chili {Recipe}

"Trish this chili just tastes heavenly."   Those were the very words spoken by my husband as he polished off his second bowl of this chili.  My Dad and brother came over on Saturday for the 49ers vs. Saints game.  (Go 49ers!)  My husband really wanted me to make up a pot of chili and this is what I came up with.  I know there are so many opinions on what a proper chili recipe consists of.  I'm from California so I really have no biases - as long as it tastes good I'm happy :)  I hope you will give this chili a try because it really is sensational.  (This recipe is in no way associated or endorsed by the San Francisco 49ers.  I couldn't think of a name and this is what my husband suggested :) )

Whenever I make chili, my husband likes me to warm up tortillas on both sides, butter the tortilla and then roll it up.  His mom always served him tortillas with his chili con carne growing up.  It really is delicious and a fun twist on saltines or chips.

Ingredients:
1 to 1.25 lbs of ground beef (I used lean - 7% fat)
1/2 lb Italian sausage
2 (15oz) cans chili beans
2 (14.5oz) cans diced tomatoes
3 oz tomato paste
1 med yellow onion, chopped
1 red bell pepper, seeded and chopped
1 clove garlic, minced
2 cubes of beef bouillon
1 Tbls chili powder
1/2 Tbls Worcestershire sauce
1/2 Tbls dried oregano
1 tsp ground cumin
1 tsp Tabasco or other hot pepper sauce
1/2 tsp dried basil, ground black pepper, paprika, & white sugar
cheese, Fritos, tortillas (optional)

Note: You could easily make this in your slow-cooker.  Just add all the ingredients and let it go for 8-10 hours on low.

This recipe makes 6-8 generous bowls.  Double the recipe if you are cooking for a larger crowd or want to freeze your leftovers.

Directions:

Cook the beef and sausage in a large pot over medium high heat.  If you are using ground beef with a higher fat percentage, drain off the excess grease.

Add in the remaining ingredients and stir until well blended.  Turn the heat down to low and let simmer for at least two hours.  Stir the chili occasionally and taste test as needed ;)

The chili was ready to go after two hours but tasted even better after four.  I just heated up a bowl of leftovers for my husband and it tastes even better today than it did yesterday.  

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