World's Best Chili

I’m no Pioneer Woman (I’m pretty sure she cooks more than once every few weeks), but I do make a terrific chili.  FYI the chili above is not my actual chili--it never hangs around long enough for me to get a picture. (source)

It's really rather simple.  Let's be honest, if I can make it, is has to be simple.  And since it's one of our most favorite fall/winter foods, I thought I'd share the recipe with you guys.

What you'll need:

• 1 pound hamburger meat
• 1 pound bacon
• 28 oz. tomato paste (or crushed tomatoes....don't be too picky.)
• 1 can Rotel
• taco seasoning (No, not chili seasoning.  Taco seasoning.  McCormick's is my favorite.)
• 1 onion, diced (sliced, chopped---choose your fancy.)
• 1 and 1/2 cup salsa (I use Tostitos mild salsa most of the time, but if I'm feeling really froggy I make my own using this recipe.

What you'll do:

• Brown hamburger meat.  Drain.
• In your crockpot, combine the tomato paste, Rotel, taco seasoning, onion, and salsa.
• Add hamburger meat.
• Cook and crumble bacon, then add this to the crockpot, too.
• Let simmer on low about an hour.

Ta-da!  World's Best Chili.  (Seriously, it's won my church's chili cook-off three times!)  The best part?  My girls eat it with little to no complaining, and that's major.  Those girls don't eat anything.

PS:  Thank you for ignoring the fact that I am completely failing at the whole #Write31Days thing.  I'm just giving myself lots of grace. :)

PPS:  Feel free to share your favorite recipe with me.  We especially love soups this time of year.