my husband and i like to think we are so “country”.

we made our version of chili this weekend and it was a big hit at the hoe down!

we had a hoe down to go to this weekend.

it was an absolute blast. lots of friends, a real caller, and of course, a chili cook-off.

we were so into this, {i should say, cc was so into this}

that we had to go buy boots and hats, real ones, to be legit.

{he had to get some for work anyway…}

he even ordered his own belt buckle.

{guys, this is the same guy who nearly ruined halloween/my life because i couldn’t get him to dress up!!}

so, with our clothes laid out, ready to go, we discussed the perfect chili.

in our opinion, it’s thick, chunky, with lots of meat and beans, and tons of flavor.

this one was a favorite of so many there. i think calling it “spicy” scared a lot of people out of trying it,

but it’s not too hot. of course you can kick it up even more {like we do at home},

but this was the perfect warm heat. the cumin and chili play so nice together,

and that kick of jalepeno and red pepper just make it sing.

we call it meat-lovers because we used 3 meats in here:

italian sausage, italian-seasoned turkey, and bacon.

and, we season the meat first.

that’s important!

don’t go all cooking your sauce and adding all your spices and then add cooked, plain, tasteless meat to it!

so the HOW here, is important, in my opinion.

it’s downright the best chili i’ve had.

hope you enjoy it!

[amd-zlrecipe-recipe:48]

how i wish i had a better picture of boss in his red “woody” hat and reese in these killer cowgirl boots. she loves them…

and i wish i had a better picture of my hot cowboy in his full get-up, rockin the beard and all…

oh, you want to know if i WON the cook-off?

well, since it was a church function, we all won.

mine was deemed, “most spicy”, so i’m sure they had to take it out of the running so i didn’t win 2 fancy spoons.

it’s only fair…