MVP Chili

My husband and I were out for lunch yesterday and I picked up an issue of Mature Lifestyles of Tennessee.  I thumbed through the pages and came across 3 chili recipes.  One of the recipes really stood out and sounded so delicious.  I decided to try out the recipe and man not only does it taste amazing it smells so good in the house. 

I know the Super Bowl Parties are around the corner so I thought I would share the recipe.

MVP Chili

2 packages (19 ounces) Hot Italiam Sausage Links

1 large onio, diced

3 cloves garlic, minced

2 tablespoons chili powder

1/4 teaspoon cumin

1 bottle (12 ounces) dark beer (can substitute with light beer or 1 cup beef stock)

1 can (28 ounces) crushed tomatoes

2 tablespoons tomato paste

salt and pepper, to tast

1 can (15.5 ounces) black beans

1 can (15.5 ounces) red kidney beans

1 1/1 cups corn (frozen or fresh off the cob)

*we substituted a few things, we used a dark porter beer and I have to say I think it made the flavor pop and this is coming from a non beer drinker. We didn't have crushed tomatoes so I used a can of diced and a can of Rotel, I also used Ketchup instead of tomato paste, and we left out the corn.

-De-case sausage and saute' in a large pot; use a wooden spoon to crumber sausage as it cooks

-Once sausage is nicely browned, stir in onion, garlic, chili powder and cumin and continue cooking until onion softens, about 5 minutes.

-Add beer and allow it to simmer for an additional 5 minutes, scraping up any brown bits from bottom of pan

-stir in tomatoes, tomato paste and allow it to simmer, uncovered for an additional 10 to 15 minutes on medium-low, stirring occasionally.

-taste and adust seasonings with salt and pepper

-Finally, stir in beans and corn. Let this come to a simmer, and it's ready to serve

* I let the pot sit on the stove most of the day so that all of the flavors would have more time to fuse together.

Makes 12 cups (6 to 8 servings)