Servings vary. Prepare your favorite burgers to desired doneness. Place burgers on your favorite Village Hearth bun, top with a ladle of Hearty Chili (recipe follows) and shredded cheddar cheese. Ingredients:
  • 2 pounds ground beef
  • 1 pound bulk Italian sausage
  • 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
  • 3 (15 ounce) cans red kidney beans, drained
  • 1 (15 ounce) can chili beans in spicy sauce
  • 2 (28 ounce) cans diced tomatoes with juice
  • 1 (6 ounce) can tomato paste with garlic and basil
  • 1 large yellow onion, chopped
  • 3 stalks celery, chopped
  • 2 small cans chopped green chiles
  • 1 green bell pepper, seeded and chopped
  • 1 tablespoon real bacon bits
  • 4 cubes beef bouillon
  • 1/2 cup dark beer
  • 1/4 cup chili powder
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 tablespoon minced garlic
  • 1 tablespoon dried oregano
  • 2 teaspoons ground cumin
  • 2 teaspoons hot pepper sauce
  • 1 teaspoon dried basil
  • 1 teaspoon sea salt
  • 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • 1 packet artificial sweetener
 
Directions: Heat oil in a large stock pot over medium-high heat. Crumble in the ground beef and sausage. Breaking up meat, cook until evenly browned. Drain off excess fat. Pour in the beans, tomatoes and tomato paste. Add the onion, celery, green pepper, chile peppers, bacon bits, bouillon, and beer. Stir together than add chili powder, Worcestershire sauce, garlic, oregano, cumin, hot pepper sauce, basil, salt, pepper, cayenne, paprika, and sweetener. Transfer to a large slow cooker and cook on high for 4-5 hours or low for 7-8 hours.