Bacon Chili

• 3 whole Dates
• 1 pound Beef
• 1 pound Bacon, Chopped
• 1 whole Onion, Chopped
• 1 whole Red Sweet Pepper, Chopped
• 1 whole Green Bell Pepper, Chopped
• 3 whole Carrots, Chopped
• 1 teaspoon Oregano
• 1 teaspoon Smoked Paprika
• 1 teaspoon Chili Powder
• 1 teaspoon Cumin
• 1 dash Cinnamon
• 1 dash Chipotle Pepper
• 1 dash Salt And Pepper
• 3 Tablespoons Tomato Paste
• 1 clove Garlic, Minced
• 1/4 cups Stock
• 28 ounces, fluid Crushed Tomatoes
• 15 ounces, fluid Tomato Sauce

1. Put dates into a cup and add enough water to completely cover dates. Microwave for 1 minute. Allow dates to soak until needed.
2. Over medium heat, brown ground beef. Remove from skillet and set aside. Drain and discard anything left in skillet.
3. Over medium heat, cook chopped bacon, tossing occasionally to cook evenly on all sides. Remove from skillet, and place cooked bacon on a paper towel to absorb excess grease. Reserve bacon grease from pan.
4. Warm 4 tablespoons reserved bacon in a skillet over medium heat. Toss chopped onion, peppers and carrots in oil and allow to cook until onion becomes translucent.
5. Remove dates from water. Remove pits from dates. Finely chop dates.
6. Stir in all all spices, dates, tomato paste and garlic into the vegetables. Allow to cook until garlic becomes fragrant.
7. Deglaze skillet with stock. Add ground beef, bacon, vegetable mixture, crushed tomatoes and tomato sauce to crock pot. Stir everything together and cook on low for 6 or more hours.
8. Serve warm with toppings and enjoy!

dates, beef, bacon, onion, red sweet pepper, green bell pepper, carrots, oregano, paprika, chili powder, cumin, cinnamon, pepper, salt, tomato paste, clove garlic, ubc, tomatoes, tomato sauce

Taken from tastykitchen.com/recipes/soups/bacon-chili/ (may not work)