The best part was the meat he used. He spied shaved steak tips... or something like that... at Hannaford's. Basically, steak 'n' cheese meat. Mmm.. Philly cheese steaks. I'll be going back for more, fo' sho. But anyway, it was a really good addition to the chili.
And I'm the lucky girl who got the bay leaf. Here's to lots of luck (and good cooking) this spring!