Julie's Election Day Chili*

I was first elected to the Newport City Commission in 2022.

I am running for reelection to Newport City Commission on Election Day, November 5, 2024.

During the fall in Newport, you will see me campaigning all over town; I especially enjoy door knocking where I can meet voters where they are.  By the time Election Day arrives, my leg work is done, and I face a long day of waiting for results to come in.

A few years ago, I started making chili on General Election Day, hoping to make the day go a little faster. My Julie’s Election Day Chili recipe has been influenced by others, but I’ve made it mine with ancho chili powder, peppered bacon, dark beer, and a little unsweetened cocoa.

Enjoy my chili this Election Day, November 5, 2024, and please remember to vote!

Serves: 10

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Ingredients

2 pounds lean ground beef

1 pound bulk spicy Italian sausage

7 slices thick peppered bacon, chopped

2 (15 oz) cans chili beans, drained and rinsed

2 (15 oz) cans chili beans in spicy sauce

2 (28 oz) cans diced or San Marzano tomatoes with juice

1 large, sweet onion, chopped

3 stalks celery, chopped

1 green bell pepper, seeded and chopped

1 red bell pepper, seeded and chopped

2 jalapeno peppers, seeded and chopped

2 cups beef broth

1 bottle dark beer

1 TBL ancho chili powder (or more, to taste)

1 TBL Worcestershire sauce

1 TBL minced garlic

1 tsp dried oregano

2 tsp ground cumin

1 tsp hot pepper sauce (Tabasco or Cholula)

1 tsp kosher salt

¼ tsp cayenne pepper

1 tsp smoky paprika

1 tsp white sugar

1–2 TBL unsweetened cocoa

Freshly ground black pepper

Corn chips (e.g. Fritos or restaurant style tortilla chips), sour cream, and cheddar cheese for garnish

Directions

1. Heat a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Crumble the ground beef  and sausage and add with the chopped bacon to the hot pan. Cook until evenly browned. Drain off excess fat.

2. Reduce heat to medium and add the chopped onion, celery, jalapeno, red and green bell peppers, and minced garlic to the pot. Continue to brown lightly.

3. Add the tomatoes, Worcestershire sauce, beef broth, and beer.

4. Season with ancho chili powder, oregano, cumin, hot pepper sauce, cayenne pepper, paprika, cocoa, sugar, and salt.

5. Stir, bring to a boil, then reduce heat, and simmer for a couple hours. Can stop cooking and hold at this point.

6. I like to add beans during last hour of cooking, but you can add sooner if more convenient.

7. Correct seasoning with additional chili powder, salt, and black pepper to taste. I wait to add black pepper until late because the peppered bacon packs a pepper punch.

8. Serve with corn chips, sour cream, and cheddar cheese.

*Adapted from MightyPurdue22’s Boilermaker Tailgate Chili recipe

(https://www.allrecipes.com/recipe/78299/boilermaker-tailgate-chili/ : accessed 20 August 2024)