Home cooking for a new generation. Easy and
elegant recipes from the heart and soul created for today's family.

By Sharon Fox

2 (29 ounce) cans tomato sauce
2 (28 ounce) cans peeled and diced tomatoes
2 cups diced onion
1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
1 pound bacon, diced
2 pounds spicy sausage
3 pounds lean ground beef
1 (32 ounce) bottle hickory smoke barbeque sauce
1/2 cup chili powder
4 (15.25 ounce) cans kidney beans, undrained
2 (1 ounce) squares unsweetened chocolate, chopped shredded cheddar and chopped scallions to garnish

In a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat, combine tomato sauce, tomatoes, onion and Italian seasoning.
In a large skillet over medium heat, cook bacon until slightly crisp. Drain and stir into the pot.
In the same skillet over medium heat, cook sausage until brown. Drain and stir into the pot.

In the same skillet over medium heat, cook the beef until brown. Drain and stir into the pot.

Stir the barbeque sauce and chili powder into the pot; taste and adjust seasonings. Stir in the kidney beans and chocolate and simmer until flavors are well blended. Serve. Top with shredded cheese and scallions!

"Comfort Food for the Mind, Body, and Soul" will be released April 2011. Log on to http://goodcookin4u2.webs.com/. Buy the book at www.amazon.com

This column was printed in the June 19, 2011 - July 2, 2011 edition.