Rich Chili

Ingredients

• 1 lb ground beef
• 1 onion, chopped
• 1 large shallot, chopped
• 1 green pepper, chopped
• 1 red pepper, chopped
• 1 carrot, chopped
• 1 stalk celery, chopped
• 2 garlic cloves, chopped
• 2 (14 ounce) cans tomatoes with juice
• 1 (14 ounce) can black beans, drained
• 1 (14 ounce) can kidney beans, drained
• 1 (6 ounce) can tomato paste
• 1 cup water
• 1 bay leaf
• 1 teaspoon italian seasoning
• 2 teaspoons chili powder
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• salt and pepper
• 1 tablespoon sugar or 1 tablespoon Splenda sugar substitute
• hot sauce