Cowboy Chili

2 lbs ground beef or 1lb ground beef 1 lb. sausage
1 medium onion chopped 1 large bell pepper, chopped
1 garlic clove, minced
1/4 c. chili powder or less?
2 t ground cumin
1  (28 oz.) can of  crushed tomatoes
1 (14.5 oz.) can of diced tomatoes
2 cups of water
2 cans of kidney beans, drained
3 t salt
1/2 t black pepper
1/4-1/2 t cayenne pepper (optional)

Brown ground beef.  Add onion, bell pepper.  Saute for a few minutes.  Add garlic.  Saute for 30 seconds to 1 minute (until fragrant).  Add chili powder and cumin.  Heat spices for 30 seconds.  Add both cans of tomatoes, water, both cans of kidney beans, salt and pepper.  Bring to a boil over medium-high heat.  Reduce heat and simmer 20 min.  If you use the sausage, fry in a separate pan.  Add to chili.  Spoon a little of the liquid from the chili into the sausage pan to deglaze.  Add the liquid back to the chili.