Here's my recipie:
Tom's 5 Alarm Chili
Ingredients:
2 quarts tomato sauce; 1 lb Bacon
2 large onions, chopped; 1 lb Hot Italian sausage
2 large green peppers, diced; 1 lb Hamburger
1 small bunch celery, diced; 2 large cans dark red kidney beans
Preparation:
· Chop and dice vegetables, place in separate bowls for later use.
· In a large frying pan fry bacon crisp, set aside, DO NOT DRAIN grease.
· Fry Italian sausage in same pan, breaking up into small chunks, set cooked sausage in large 5qt simmering pot, DO NOT DRAIN frying pan.
· Brown hamburger in large frying pan, then transfer meat to simmering pot, again do not drain the frying pan.
· Add tomato sauce to the meat in the simmering pot and stir, heat on low heat.
· Simmer peppers and onions in frying pan with lid, adding water as need.
· Once peppers and onions are soft, crumble/chop the bacon and add to the frying pan along with the celery. Continue to simmer for a few minutes, adding water to avoid sticking…celery will remain a little crunchy, peppers and onions should be soft.
· Transfer simmered vegetable and bacon to simmering pot, mix thoroughly,
· Add two large UNDRAINED cans of kidney beans to simmering pot, stir.
· Heat on medium heat, covered and under close watch, stirring as needed for about 5 to 10 minutes or until hot.
· Season to taste and as desired with: White pepper, ground black pepper, cayenne pepper, chili powder, Mexican style chili powder, Frank’s Red Hot, Tabasco
· Reduce heat to low simmer, cover, and simmer for at least two hours, stirring every 15 or 20 minutes.
Serving Suggestions: Serve in bowls optionally garnished with shredded cheddar cheese, diced raw onion, and/or a dollop of sour cream and warm Italian bread and butter or fresh corn bread on the side.
