CHILI and LEMONADE

I was feeling homesick today so I made a dish that's tied very much to my childhood: chili! In Oklahoma we make our chili with tomatoes and beans. This chili doesn't have beans because it was a spur of the moment thing and I didn't have any soaked.

OKIE CHILI
1 # 85% lean grass fed beef chuck
1 28oz can diced tomatoes
1/2 # bacon, cooked, chopped, oil reserved
1 big onion, chopped
1 whole heads of garlic, chopped
1 green bell pepper, chopped
2 tbsp new mexico chili powder
1 tbsp hungarian paprika
1 tsp smoked paprika
1/2 tsp cayenne
1 tsp chili flakes
2 tsp cumin seeds or 1 tsp ground cumin
1 tsp oregano
2 FRESH bay leaves
2 oz 72% dark chocolate
1/2 c splash of STRONG black coffee
3/4 c water
2 tsp salt
1 tsp pepper

get ingredients ready.
in heavy pot brown ground beef.
add salt. add onions, bell pepper, garlic, cook until soft about 10 minutes.
add all the spices except bay leaves & bacon & reserved bacon grease. stir and continue to

cook for about 1 minute (this is called blooming or tempering, it 'wakes up' the spices, its done in indian cooking) add can of tomatoes, water, coffee, chocolate, bay leaves mix all together.
cover and simmer 1 hour, stirring occassionally.

Notes: Might halve hungarian paprika and increase amount chili powder next time

LEMONADE
2 cups fresh squeezed lemon juice (about 7 fat ripe lemons)
zest of 2-3 lemons
1/2 cup sugar (you could use half honey)
dash salt
1 inch ginger grated
6 cups water (try soda water)
sprigs mint (optional)
ice

you can make small batches in a cocktail shaker!
try adding a splash or two of gin or whiskey!