After a warm and early spring, we’ve had a bit of cold, rainy  weather lately. A perfect excuse to bring out one of my favorite, crowd-pleasing recipes, which usually gets retired during the warmer months — my Sweet & Spicy Homemade Chili.

In our house, we’re fans of the sweet-and-spicy flavor combo. Our favorite chips, hands down, are Dorito’s Spicy Sweet Chili. And I’m a big fan of Chili’s Honey Chipotle Chicken Crispers. So, it’s no surprise that I like to give chili, a football tailgate favorite, a little sweet twist to tone done the spice. The heat comes from Italian sausage, chili powder, cayenne, cumin and peppers, while a quarter-cup of sugar provides the sweet.

Atta Girl Amy’s Sweet & Spicy Homemade Chili

1 lb ground beef
1 lb Italian sausage (hot, mild or sweet, your choice)
1 to 2 cloves garlic, minced
4 TBS chili powder
1/4 cup sugar
1 tsp. garlic powder
1/4 tsp. cayenne pepper
1/2 tsp. cumin
salt and pepper to taste
2 cans diced tomatoes
2 cans light red kidney beans, drained and rinsed
1 can tomato sauce
1 each yellow, red and green pepper, chopped
1 medium onion, chopped
1 bunch fresh green onions, sliced
1/2 tsp. vinegar

1. Put ground beef and Italian sausage into a bowl. Add minced garlic, 1 1/2 tsp. chili powder, 2 TBS sugar, 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder and a dash of freshly ground pepper and salt.
   
   
2. Use your hands to mix well so spices are combined in meat. Brown hamburger and sausage in a heavy bottomed pot.
3. Once meat is browned, add kidney beans, tomatoes, tomato sauce, peppers, onion, green onions and remaining spices. At this point, you could transfer the ingredients to a slow cooker and let it simmer all day at low heat.
4. Simmer for at least 30 minutes, but preferably longer to let the flavor develop. At the end of the cooking time, add vinegar.
5. Serve with chips and sprinkled with cheese, if you like.

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