All-American Chili

Ingredients

 * 1 lb ground sirloin
 * ½ lb hot Italian sausage
 * 1 large onion, chopped
 * 1 red bell pepper, chopped
 * 8 garlic cloves, minced
 * 1 jalapeno pepper, chopped
 * 4 tablespoons chili powder
 * 3 tablespoons brown sugar
 * 1 tablespoon ground cumin
 * 3 tablespoons tomato paste
 * 1 teaspoon dried oregano
 * ½ teaspoon fresh ground pepper
 * ½ teaspoon salt
 * 2 bay leaves
 * 1¼ cups merlot (or beef broth)
 * 2 (28 ounces) cans diced tomatoes, undrained
 * 2 (15 ounces) cans kidney beans, drained
 * 1 (15 ounces) can pinto beans, drained
 * ½ cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese

Directions

 * 1) Heat a Dutch oven over medium-heat.
 * 2) Remove casings from sausage.
 * 3) Add sausage, onion, bell pepper, garlic, ground sirloin, and jalapeno to pan
 * 4) Cook 10 – 12 minutes
 * 5) Add chili powder, brown sugar, cumin, tomato paste, oregano, pepper, salt, bay leaves
 * 6) Stir in wine, tomatoes, kidney beans, and pinto beans; bring to boil.
 * 7) Cover, reduce heat, and simmer 1 hour, stirring occasionally.
 * 8) Uncover and cook for 40 minutes
 * 9) Discard the bay leaves.
 * 10) Sprinkle each serving with cheddar cheese.