T. Flo’s Dr. Pepper Chili

A while back, I read this recipe on Tina's blog and, with my love of Dr. Pepper, knew I had to try it. Tonight was the perfect snowy, frigid night. And it is delicious! Besides being an amazing photographer, she makes a mean chili recipe too!

Ingredients
1.5 lbs of ground beef
5 slices of bacon, cut into 1/4 pieces
1 large onion, finely chopped
3-4 garlic cloves, minced
2 tbs. cumin
1 tbs. oregano
3 tbs. chili powder
1-2 jalapenos, seeded and diced
salt & pepper to taste
1 large tomato (from garden)
1 8 oz can of tomato sauce
1 can of tomato soup
1 can of Dr. Pepper
1 tsp beef concentrate or 1 cup of beef broth
1 block of chocolate
1 tsp cinnamon

Before you start cooking combine the onion and the jalapeno together. Also, mix the chili powder, cumin and oregano together in a bowl.

Render the bacon until crisp in a large pot; set bacon aside.

Brown meat in the bacon fat until brown, then drain and set aside. Salt & pepper the meat.

Add some OO to the pot, and when hot, add the onions and jalapenos. Cook until translucent (about 5 minutes). Add the garlic and cook for a minute, being careful not to burn it.

Add the chili powder, oregano and cumin to the onions and fry for a couple of minutes to release the flavors.

Add beef & bacon to the onions and spices. Mix together and cook for a few minutes.

Add the Dr. Pepper, tomato sauce and tomato soup and bring to a simmer. Let cook for 5 minutes.

Add diced tomato and beef concentrate (or broth). Stir everything together.

Bring to a simmer and cook for one hour.

After one hour add chocolate and cinnamon and continue simmering for another hour.

Adjust seasonings to your taste. Serve alone or with rice, nacho chips, shredded cheese, cilantro, sour cream and or hot sauce. Enjoy!

Served with cornbread made from scratch! I made a few adjustments based on what I had on hand, including using the slow cooker, but you can make your own! My only suggestion is frying the bacon whole, very crisp, then crumbling as small as possible before adding to the mix. I used turkey bacon because I have some, but it's probably better if you go whole hog. :) Thanks, T!