All-American Chili | I don't want my MTV

Ingredients

• 6 ounces hot Italian turkey sausage (2 or 3 links), casings removed
• 2 medium onions, chopped medium (about 2 cups)
• 1 large green bell pepper, chopped medium (about 1 cup)
• 8 garlic cloves, finely minced or grated on a microplane (about 8 teaspoons)
• 1 pound ground sirloin
• 1 jalapeño pepper, finely chopped
• 2 tablespoons chili powder
• 2 tablespoons brown sugar
• 1 tablespoon ground cumin
• 3 tablespoons tomato paste
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 2 bay leaves
• 1 1/4 cups Merlot or other fruity red wine
• 2 (28-ounce) cans whole tomatoes, undrained and coarsely chopped
• 2 (15-ounce) cans kidney beans, drained
• 1/2 cup (2 ounces) shredded reduced-fat sharp cheddar cheese