With the cold weather here I thought I would post some great Soul Warming Soups and Stews to kelp keep you warm.

I'm starting out with Toasted Chili.

Why toasted you say

Because it's made with my favorite Simmering Ingredient

WINE!

Follow up:

It makes the house smell great while cooking, especially if you cook the beans at night while sleeping as I often do.

You go in and out of a dream state to the sweet wafts of wine and beans. It drives Micah crazy because it makes him hungry all night.

If I'm cooking in the Crock Pot I usually do it at night because I'm afraid to leave it on while at work for fear of burning the house down. The best part is when you wake up its all ready for lunch that day, or if you just can't wait; breakfast.

Ingredients:

1 1/2 Cups of Black Beans
1 1/2 Cups Red Beans
2 Cups Water
1 Bottle Red Wine
3 Pieces Bacon
2 Bay Leaves
1/4 Cup Sweet Onion
1/4 Cup Cabela's Whiskey Steak Seasoning
1 Pound Ground Sirloin
2 15 oz. Cans Tomato Sauce
1 6 oz Can Tomato Paste
1 Tablespoon Chili Powder

1. Put your beans into the crock pot and cover with water and put the lid on top.

• I let my Beans soak over night like this to soften.
• Make sure to go through the beans carefully because they can have rocks in them from harvesting.
• After the Beans have soaked pour out all of the water.

2. You can use whatever kind of Red Wine that you like.

• I like this Red Truck Wine, nice and sweet.
• Add the entire bottle of Wine and the Water to the Beans.

4. Chop up you Sweet Onion.

• Try to keep them medium sized pieces since they shrink while cooking.

5. Add Onions and Bay Leaves to the Beans and stir.

6. Turn the crock pot on low.

• Cook beans for about 6 hours on low until they’re soft.
• Or you can cook on Medium for 4 hours to save time if you like.
• Turn off the Beans once they're cooked and drain all of the juice.

7. Add Whiskey Steak Seasoning, Tomato Sauce, Tomato Paste and Chili Powder to the cooked Beans.

• Turn the crock Pot back on and simmer for 30 minutes.

8. Cut up your Bacon and brown in a Skillet along with the Ground Sirloin.

• No need to drain your meat as this is Sirloin so there’s not any fat.

9. Add Sirloin to the Beans and simmer on low for another 30 minutes.

10. Pour into a bowl and top with Sour Cream and Colby Jack Cheese and Enjoy!