(by Starr Ridley/Black Mermaid)
4 Italian sausage links (sweet, mild, or hot)
1 lb. 90% lean ground beef
2 T. seasoned salt
1.24 oz. chili seasoning mix
2 T. fresh or 2 t. dried basil
2 T. fresh or 2 t. dried cilantro
1 T. cooking oil
2 medium bell peppers, seeded and cut into pieces
optional: 1 small jalapeno pepper, minced
6 medium sweet peppers (2 yellow, 2 orange, 2 red)
1 large onion (yellow or white), chopped
4 scallions, green part only
2 cans (15 oz. each) Hormel Chili with Beans
2 cans (15 oz. each) tomato sauce
12 oz. tomato paste
15 oz. can stewed tomatoes
optional: 1 t. sugar
1/2 - 1 lb. shredded cheese (mixture of mozzarella, Monterey jack, and Parmesan)
fresh chives
sour cream
Cut sausage into small chunks and place in bowl.
Add ground beef, seasoned salt, chili seasoning, basil, and cilantro, mixing well.
In a deep frying pan over low heat, cook meat mixture, stirring, until cooked through. Set aside.
Heat cooking oil over medium heat and stir-fry peppers, jalapeno, onion, and scallions,
about 10 – 15 minutes, adding some basil and cilantro.
In a big pot, add chili, tomato sauce, tomato paste, and stewed tomatoes.
Cook over low heat, adding a little water to thin if desired.
Spoon meat and vegetables into the pot, and cook 5 more minutes.
Taste and add sugar if desired.
Serve in a bowl with shredded cheese, chives, and sour cream.
(Read Stuck in the House, the story that accompanies this recipe.)