All-American Chili

INGREDIENTS

6 oz

hot turkey Italian sausage

2 cups

chopped onion

1 cup

chopped green bell pepper

garlic cloves, minced

1 lb

ground sirloin

jalapeño pepper, chopped

2 tbsp

chili powder

2 tbsp

brown sugar

1 tbsp

ground cumin

3 tbsp

tomato paste

1 tsp

dried oregano

1/2 tsp

freshly ground black pepper

1/4 tsp

salt

bay leaves

1 1/4 cups

Merlot or other fruity red wine

2 28 ounce cans

no-salt-added whole tomatoes, undrained and coarsely chopped

2 15 ounce cans

no-salt-added kidney beans, drained

1/2 cup

shredded reduced-fat sharp cheddar cheese