Smoked Sausage Chili

Smoked Sausage Chili 3 tbsp olive oil 1 small red onion, diced 2 cloves garlic, minced 1 stalk celery, finely diced 1 medium carrot, finely diced 1 small sweet bell pepper, red, orange or yellow, finely diced 2 cups plain tomato sauce 28 ounce can diced tomatoes (3½ cups) 1 19 oz can red kidney beans, rinsed and drained 2 tbsp chili powder 1/2 tsp cumin 1 tsp chipotle powder (more or less to taste) 2 tbsp molasses 1 pound smoked sausage, sliced about ½ inch thick In a small dutch oven, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the onion, garlic and carrot and saute until the onions soften but not brown. Add the sweet bell pepper, tomato sauce, canned tomatoes, kidney beans, chili powder, cumin, chipotle powder and molasses. Mix together well and simmer very slowly over minimum heat for about 30 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add the sliced smoked sausage and continue to simmer for about another 15 minutes.