Chili and Cornbread

Justin loves this stuff.  I made it once for him and a few friends and they inhaled it.  Also made it for some friends of mine and they (along with their kids) gobbled it all up.  I rarely have leftovers!

All American Chili

food.com

6 ounces hot Italian sausage (casings removed)

2 cups chopped onions

1 cup chopped green bell peppers

8 cloves garlic, minced

1 pound ground beef (I use ground turkey often)

1 jalapeno pepper, chopped

Heat a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat.  Add sausage through jalapeno, cook until sausage and beef begin to brown, stirring to crumble.

2 tablespoons chili powder

2 tablespoons brown sugar

1 tablespoon ground cumin

3 tablespoons tomato paste (I like to use the tube of super-concentrated tomato paste)

1 teaspoon dried oregano

1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper

1/4 teaspoon salt

2 bay leaves

Add to the pot and cook 1 minute, stirring constantly.

1 1/4 cups merlot (I like cabernet too)

2 (28 ounce) cans whole tomatoes, undrained and coarsely chopped (I hate dealing with the whole tomatoes, so I just get diced)

2 (15 ounce) kidney beans, drained (I added an extra can of beans and rinsed them)

Add to pot.  Bring to a boil.  Cover, reduce heat and simmer 1 hour, stirring occasionally.  Uncover and cook for 30 more minutes stirring occasionally.

While the chili is cooking, make the cornbread.

Cast Iron Skillet Cornbread

allrecipes.com

Preheat the oven to 425 degrees with a 9-inch cast iron skillet inside to heat while you make the batter.

1 1/4 cups coarsely ground cornmeal

3/4 cup all-purpose flour

1/4 cup granulated sugar

1 teaspoon kosher salt

2 teaspoons baking powder

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

Whisk in a large bowl.  Set aside.  I like to push the baking powder and soda through a strainer to break up clumps.

1/3 cup whole milk (any milk works really)

1 cup buttermilk

2 egg, lightly beaten

8 tablespoons melted unsalted butter

Whisk in a separate bowl.  Combine the wet and dry ingredients.

Remove the cast iron skillet from the oven and coat with butter (not too much).  Reduce the oven temperature to 375 degrees.  Pour the batter into the skillet and bake 20-25 minutes.  Allow to cool for a few before trying to cut.