Chilly Day Chili

So, when I started this blog, I didn't think I would use it as a platform to post recipes.  I don't make many up myself and, lets face it, Food Network is awesome.  However, I have a killer chili recipe that will warm you up all winter long and it seems a crime not to share it with you.

Ingredients:

1 lb. Ground Beef
5-6 Strips Bacon
1 med. Onion, diced
1 med. Bell Pepper, diced
2 cloves Garlic, finely diced
1 small can Tomato Paste
1 14 oz. can Diced Tomatoes
2 tbsp. Honey
1 tbsp. Chili Powder
1 tbsp. Cumin
1/2 tbsp. Dried Oregano
Salt and Pepper to taste
and my super secret ingredient:
1 12 oz. bottle of Beer.

Shredded Cheddar Cheese and Sour Cream to garnish

Fry bacon in a frying pan.  Once bacon is crisp, set it aside.  DO NOT THROW IT OUT.  Put 2 tbsp of your rendered bacon fat in a dutch oven and sauté the onion, garlic, and pepper until soft and/or translucent.  In the same pan you used for your bacon, brown your ground beef.  Once the beef is cooked through and the veggies are soft, combine in the dutch oven.  Add tomato paste and stir so that everything is evenly combined.  Next, add the beer.  (As an aside, here, I recommend using your favorite beer UNLESS your favorite beer is something fruity.  I DO NOT recommend Blue Moon, or any berry beer for this chili.  I do recommend them for drinking, though.)  Bring the beer to a boil, then simmer until reduced by about 1/3.  This takes about 5-10 minutes.  Now you're going to add your diced tomatoes, juice and all, your honey, and all of your seasonings.  Stir to combine and let this simmer 10-15 minutes (or longer) to let all of your flavors merry.  Trust me, the longer you let this simmer, the better your chili will be.  You remember that bacon you rendered?  Crumble it up.  Serve up your chili in a nice, big bowl.  Top it with your shredded cheese, a dollop of sour cream, and a bit of crumbled bacon and enjoy.  (Another aside.  You'll notice there are not many spicy ingredients.  This is because I have a toddler.  Please feel free to add hot sauce, cayenne pepper, or a jalapeño or two at the appropriate time.)

So, now that I've shared my favorite recipe, what do you guys think?  Do you want more recipes?  Do you never ever want to see a recipe again?  What about recipe reviews?  Let me know in the comments.