Award Winning Chili

Submitted by Alisa Ringger

Ingredients
1 (14.5 oz) can stewed tomatoes, chopped
1 (6 oz) can tomato paste
1 carrot, sliced
1 onion, chopped
2 stalks celery, chopped
¼ cup dry white wine
1 pinch crushed red pepper flakes
¼ cup chopped green bell pepper
¼ cup chopped red bell pepper
1/3 cup steak sauce (such as Heinz 57)
5 slices bacon
1 ½ pounds ground beef
1 (1.25 ounce) package chili seasoning mix
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 (15 ounce) can kidney beans, drained
1 tablespoon chopped fresh cilantro
1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley

Directions
In a large pot over medium heat, combine tomatoes, tomato paste, carrot, onion, celery, wine, pepper flakes, bell peppers, and steak sauce. Bring to a boil; cover, reduce heat, and simmer. While tomato mixture is simmering, in a large skillet over medium heat, cook bacon until crisp. Remove to paper towels to cool; crumble bacon. Cook beef in bacon drippings until brown; drain. Stir chili seasoning into ground beef. Stir seasoned beef, cumin, and bacon into tomato mixture. Continue to simmer, covered, 15 minutes or until vegetables are tender. Stir in beans, cilantro, and parsley. Heat through and serve.
Yield 8 servings.