Chili

I used to make this every year for my annual bonfire the night before Halloween and everyone loved it! It's also a great Super Bowl dish!

CHILI

• 1 lb. cooked bacon (350 for 30 minutes on parchment paper - save the bacon grease!)

• 1/2 cup bacon grease

• 4-5 lbs. of ground beef (80/20)

• 1 packet Lipton Onion Soup Mix, prepared according to instructions (1 packet = 4 cups)

• 6 (15 oz.) cans of Goya kidney beans, undrained

• 2 (15 oz.) cans tomato sauce

• 2 (6 oz.) cans of tomato paste

• 1 tablespoon dark brown sugar

• 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce

• 4 tablespoons chili powder

• 8 teaspoons ground cumin

• 4 teaspoons salt

• 2 teaspoons fresh ground black pepper

• 2 cups cola soft drink (I used Coke Zero)

• 4 tablespoons yellow sport pepper sauce (such as Frank's Hot Sauce)

• 4 teaspoons unsweetened cocoa powder

Directions:

Step 1

Cook bacon in 350 degree oven for 30 minutes. Place bacon on paper towels to cool and save the bacon grease. Once cooled, crumble to add during Step 4.

Step 2

Prepare onion soup from a packet of Lipton Onion Soup Mix according to the package directions, and set aside (note: 1 packet = 4 cups).

Step 3

Place bacon grease into a large stainless steel soup pot over medium-high heat, and cook and stir the ground beef in the bacon fat until well browned, about 10 minutes. Pour in the onion soup, bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer and cook for 7 minutes, stirring to dissolve any browned flavor bits from the pot.

Step 4

Stir in all other ingredients. Bring the mixture to a boil, stirring frequently to avoid burning the bottom, then cover, reduce heat to low, and simmer for 1 hour, stirring occasionally.

You can serve immediately, but for best results, transfer into the insert of a slow cooker, and chill for at least 8 hours to overnight (you can keep the chili refrigerated up to 48 hours if need be). When ready to serve, heat in covered slow cooker on High for about 3 hours; then set to Low for serving.

Serve with creamy corn casserole, cornbread or corn muffins, shredded Mexican or cheddar cheese, sour cream and green onions.