Chili with a Kick

ngredients

1 small onion

1 lb ground beef

2 (14.5 oz can) diced tomatoes

1 (28 oz can) crushed tomatoes

5 slices bacon,chopped

1 (15.5 oz can) kidney beans

2 Tablespoons chili powder

¼ teaspoon cardamom

¼ teaspoon cumin

1 teaspoon oregano

1 teaspoon basil

1 teaspoon brown sugar

¼ teaspoon of Stubbs Hickory Smoke (optional)

Instructions

1. Spray a saucepan with cooking oil and brown the ground beef in the pan. Once it is a fully cooked, add the basil and oregano. Cook for 5 minutes. Once done, set aside on a paper towel to drain any grease and cover with a towel.

2. Dice up the bacon to bite size pieces, and brown in the saucepan. Once the bacon is fully cooked, add the brown sugar (and the liquid smoke if chosen). Mix together and cook for another 2 minutes, then place bacon on paper towel to blot any grease.

3. Dice up the onions.

4. Now it's assembly time. Add the ground beef, onions, tomatoes and kidney beans to a slow cooker.

5. Add cardamom, cumin and chili powder. Mix well.

6. Set temperature on high and cook for 30 minutes. After 30 minutes if it is bubbling you can serve. Or you can turn it down to low and keep warm to serve throughout the afternoon or evening for a party.

Serving suggestion: You can top the chili with shredded cheese or sour cream.