Award-Winning Chili

 This is a classic chili recipe, but with just the right amount of spiciness, sweetness...and just about everything else!  The name isn't just to get attention either -- I entered a local chili cook-off a few years ago with this chili and it won 3rd place!

I stumbled upon this recipe when I was trying out various chili recipes for our little town's chili cook-off.  After making this, my family and I agreed this was the best one out of all the ones I tried.  And although it only won third place, I am still partial to it and reach for it over and over again.  I'm almost too scared to mess with it because each time I make it, I literally cannot think of any way to improve this!  The spiciness is just right that even my kids can eat it; there is just the right amount of brown sugar for sweetness; and in my opinion, it has the perfect ratio of meat and beans (I know some people dislike beans altogether in their chili...sorry, can't help you here).

So, while I love trying out new chili recipes and I'm always game for anything -- this is one that goes into my regular rotation because it's just reliable, and I never have leftovers for long when I make this.

AWARD-WINNING CHILI

serves 6

INGREDIENTS:

• 5 strips bacon (uncooked), chopped
• 1 large yellow onion, diced
• 1 red pepper, diced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 lb. ground beef
• 1 tablespoon brown sugar
• 1 tablespoon chili powder
• 1 tablespoon ancho chili powder
• 1 ½ teaspoons smoked paprika
• 1 teaspoon cumin
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• ¾ teaspoons ground black pepper
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ¼ cayenne pepper
• 1 ½ cup beef broth
• 15 oz can dark red kidney beans, rinsed and drained
• 15 oz can black beans, rinsed and drained
• 14.5 oz can diced fire roasted tomatoes, undrained
• 7 oz can fire roasted green chilies
• ¼ cup tomato paste
• 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
• the following toppings are optional, but take the chili over the top: sour cream, shredded cheddar cheese, sliced green onions or chives, corn chips.

DIRECTIONS:

1. Cook the chopped bacon in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat until crispy.  Remove onto a plate with paper towels.
2. Add the onion and red pepper and cook until soft.  Add the garlic and cook for 30 seconds.
3. Add the beef and break apart; add the sugar and spices, while continuing to cook the beef.
4. Add the remaining ingredients, including the bacon, and mix well.
5. Bring to a boil, while stirring, for 1-2 minutes.
6. Reduce the heat and simmer, uncovered, for around 30 minutes.
7. Serve with toppings and enjoy:)

Recipe credit and thanks to Sugar Spun Run