Smokey Italian Chili , Award Winner

I went to two chili cook-off's over the past year. The first one was won by someone who had a smokey flavored chili, the other was won by an Italian flavored chili. I decided to make a Smokey Italian Chili and won 1st place in a chili cookoff with it. Enjoy.

• Ready In: 1 hr
• Serves: 20

Ingredients

• 1  lb hot Italian sausage (bulk not links)
• 1  lb ground turkey
• 1  cup smoked mozzarella cheese, grated (most grocery store deli’s carry this)
• 1  package  mccormick  chipotle chili seasoning
• 4 (16 ounce) cans  bush dark red kidney beans
• 1 (16 ounce) can  tomato sauce with italian seasoning
• 2 (10 ounce) cans  rotel diced tomatoes with green chilies, with garlic olive oil and oregeno
• 2  tablespoons liquid smoke
• 2  tablespoons  italian seasoning
• 2  tablespoons  minced or diced garlic
• 1  tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
• 1  tablespoon  garlic salt
• 1⁄2 cup red wine
• 2  cups water
• 2  tablespoons cornstarch

Directions

1. Brown the Italian Sausage and Turkey in large skillet and break into small bite-sized pieces with the spatula, drain fat, put in large pot turned on medium-high.
2. Drain the liquid from the beans and add beans to the pot.
3. Add the tomato sauce and Rotel, stir well.
4. Add Chili seasoning, Italian seasoning, garlic, worchestshire sauce, garlic salt, liquid smoke, red wine and water, stir and heat until simmer.
5. Add the grated smoked Mozzarella cheese, stirring until it is well melted.
6. Mix the corn starch with either 1/4-cup of red wine or with 1/4-cup cold water until smooth, then add to the chili and mix well.
7. Simmer for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally.