Spicy-Sweet Honey Chili

I thought I'd open by sharing my chili recipe, which I devised after lots of trial and error. This recipe is an interesting mix of savory, spicy and sweet. Feel free to play with the heat by adding or subtracting the cayenne - sometimes I double it to make it extra hot, depending on my mood. Give it a whirl - I hope you enjoy :-)

Spicy Sweet Honey Chili - serves 8

Ingredients:

• Olive oil 
• 3/4 of a chopped sweet onion (Vidalia, Maui, etc.) 
• 4 diced garlic cloves 
• 1 chopped green bell pepper 
• 3 diced jalapeno peppers (seeded and diced very small)
• 1 lb ground beef 
• 1 lb ground pork 
• Salt and Pepper  
• 1 (15 ounce) cans pinto beans, drained
• 1 (14 1/2 ounce) can of petite diced tomatoes (no salt added if you can find it)
• 1 (8 ounce) can plain tomato sauce (again, with no salt added, if you can find it)
• 3 teaspoons chili powder 
• 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper 
• 1 teaspoon cumin 
• 1 teaspoon thyme 
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon salt 
• 1/2 cup honey 

Directions:

• Heat olive oil and add garlic, onions, jalapenos and green pepper in a large pot
• Cook until veggies are slightly softened
• Crumble pork and beef into veggie mix and add salt and pepper 
• Cook until meet is browned
• Drain oil
• Add tomatoes, tomato sauce, beans, chili powder, cumin, cayenne, thyme, salt and cinnamon
• Add about a tablespoon of water if it looks dryish
• Stir and simmer covered on low for at least 25 minutes
• Add honey; stir again. 
• Sprinkle with shredded cheese 

Delicious served with cornbread!