Smokey Apple Bacon Chili

Total Time: 2 hrs 40 mins Preparation Time: 10 mins Cook Time: 2 hrs 30 mins

Ingredients

• 1 lb hickory smoked bacon, cut into 1-inch pieces
• 1 1/2 large sweet onions, diced
• 2 jalapeno peppers, de-seeded, de-veined, diced
• 2 lbs ground beef
• 1 1/2 cups apple cider
• 1 tablespoon liquid smoke
• 1/2 teaspoon liquid smoke
• 2 teaspoons cumin
• 1 bay leaf
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 1 teaspoon chili powder
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 15 ounces red kidney beans, drained
• 15 ounces diced tomatoes with juice
• 15 ounces tomato paste (1 1/2 small cans)
• 3 medium cortland apples

Recipe

• 1 in a large saucepan, fry bacon until crispy over medium-high heat. remove from pan and set aside.
• 2 sautee onions and peppers in bacon grease. about 3-5 minutes.
• 3 add beef and cook until brown.
• 4 add cider and one tablespoon liquid smoke. bring to a boil.
• 5 add cumin, bay leaf, salt, cayenne, garlic and chili powder and mix.
• 6 add beans, tomatoes and tomato paste. bring to a boil. simmer for about two and a half hours or until thickened.
• 7 remove the core from the apples and cut into a medium to large dice.
• 8 add bacon, apples, and the half teaspoon of liquid smoke and mix.
• 9 serve hot topped with shredded cheese.