Historic Jailhouse Chili

Source: August 1999 Gold Platter Award Recipe Contest

6 slices bacon
1 pound hot Italian sausage
1 1/2 pounds ground beef
1 cup chopped onion
2 garlic cloves, crushed
2 cans beer
1 small can tomato paste
1 (12 ounce) can tomato sauce
1 teaspoon oregano
1/2 teaspoon cumin seed
2 tablespoons red chili powder (or to taste)
1 can chili beans in gravy
Salt and pepper
Cheddar cheese

Cook bacon until crisp; crumble. Season and brown sausage and ground beef; drain well. Reserve 1/4 cup of fat and saute onion and garlic in large stockpot. Add bacon, meat, beer, tomato paste, tomato sauce, oregano, cumin and chili powder; simmer for 2 hours.

Add beans and cook for 20 minutes more.

Serve with grated cheese. If you like it hotter, add finely minced serrano chiles.