A warm bowl of chili is always a good thing on a cold day, and recently I made a batch that got good reviews, so I thought I’d share the recipe here on the ol’ blog. Secret ingredients are bacon fat for flavor and brown sugar to cut down on the tomato’s acidity.

New Year’s Chili
Prep – 20 mins
Cook – 30 mins
6-8 servings

1 Lb lean ground turkey
2 small yellow onions (or 1 large), diced
1 TBS olive oil
1 tsp bacon fat (or butter or more oil)
1 tb minced garlic (about 1 clove)
1 orange bell pepper, seeded and diced
1 yellow bell pepper, seeded and diced
1 can black beans, rinsed
1 can pinto beans, rinsed
1 28oz can of crushed tomato
2oz (approx) of tomato paste
1 TBS brown sugar
1 TBS chili powder
1 tsp garlic powder
1/2 tsp cayenne pepper
1 TBS liquid smoke
Garnish with shredded cheddar cheese, light sour cream, Texas Pete hot sauce, cornbread and / or Fritos

In a large stock pot over medium-high heat brown the ground turkey, stirring and breaking up chunks occasionally.
Add additional oil as needed, as well as bacon fat or butter and sauté onions and garlic for about 3 minutes.
Add diced peppers, stir and cook an additional 3 minutes to soften.
Add beans, crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, brown sugar and remaining seasoning, stir to combine and bring to a boil (add 1/4 cup of water if it looks too thick). Simmer on low until color darkens and flavor develops, at least 30 minutes. Then put on a college football game, serve with toppings and enjoy.