Chili To Feed The Masses (Or Just You!)

Mmm, chili. I know football season--classic chili time--is over, but screw the seasons. You should eat chili any time you want. Because it's delicious. (Sorry, I've been watching a lot of Parks & Recreation lately so I may be channeling a little Ron Swanson there). So delicious in fact, that when the BF and I hosted a big Mother's Day to-do at our house last weekend, I made this chili (doubling the recipe below to feed all 12 of us). It was a big hit!

This chili is made with ground bison, making it a leaner and lighter option than standard chili. I also add in a ton of veggies, which play dual roles in adding great nutritional value and--more importantly--great flavor. And, making up a big pot of soup means figuring out what to take for lunch is made an easy choice for a few days!

What's the difference between bison and buffalo? On food labels and restaurant menus they appear to be synonymous, but just know that a bison is the bearded creature of the classic American west, whereas the buffalo is his beardless African and Asian cousin.

Bison Two-Bean Chili
--1 lb. ground bison meat
--2 TSP canola
--small onion, diced
--garlic, minced
--oregano
--cumin
--chili powder
--10 oz. frozen corn
--bell pepper, diced
--1 zucchini, quartered and diced
--2 14.5 oz. cans of diced tomatoes with juices
--1 chipotle pepper, chopped
--15 oz. can black beans, rinsed and drained
--15 oz. can kidney beans, rinsed and drained (you can use white or red beans, whatever your pleasure, when I'm feeling sassy I add both and make this a three-bean chili. Just sayin'.)
--1 cup water
--2 TBSP tomato paste
--3 oz. shredded cheese

In a dutch oven or large stock pot cook the bison over medium-high heat (add no oil to the pan). Stir to crumble as it cooks and set aside. Drain any fat from the pot and return to the stove.

Add the canola to the same pot and turn the heat down to the medium. Add the onion, garlic, cumin, chili powder, and oregano and stir well to combine. The spices will distribute themselves around the garlic and onion pieces and give your chili a consistent flavor throughout. Cook for a few minutes, until the mixture is fragrant and the onion is translucent. Add the frozen corn and cook for five minutes, stirring regularly. Add the diced bell pepper and zucchini and cook for 3-5 minutes so the pepper begins to soften. Add the canned tomatoes with their juices and let the mixture bubble (there is no need to adjust temperature).

Add the bison back to the pot and add in the chipotle pepper, tomato paste and beans. Stir to combine and let cook for one minute before adding the water. Bring the pot to a boil. Cover, reduce the heat and simmer for at least 10 minutes before serving.

Cook uncovered for two minutes. Then spoon into bowls and top with 1 dollop of grated cheese.

Dammit Jim, I'm a cook, not a doctor...
Time: 55 minutes (including prep)
Serves: 6
Calories: 273 per serving

Plans Change, Tasty Results Ensue

I bought already-shelled pomegranate seeds--and if you've ever slaved away at unlocking a pomegranate you'll understand why. And I was super excited. Because they're pomegranate seeds--and if you've ever slaved away at unlocking a pomegranate you'll understand why. Oh, I had such grand plans for those pomegranate seeds--heating them over a dry skillet so they started to gush their juices before adding a little honey and a splash of wine to make compote...

But it was not to be. When I opened the package they had fermented. It smelled like a vinegary disgusting mess, like a gym sock had mated with corked wine. Sigh. But all was not lost. I still had some very ripe, luscious roma tomatoes and an open bottle of red wine. Together, these two would compliment my seared pork chops in albeit a different way that originally planned. Success!

Pork Chops & Tomato Burgundy Sauce
--2 pork chops, bone-in, 3-4 oz. each
--kosher salt and cracked pepper
--2 TSP olive oil
--1 shallot, minced
--1 cup dry red wine
--1 cup beef stock or broth
--2 medium ripe roma tomatoes, chopped into thumbnail-sized pieces

Heat a stainless or cast-iron skillet over high heat. Season the pork chops on both sides with the salt and pepper, using your fingers to press the seasoning into the meat. Reduce the heat on the skillet to medium and add one teaspoon of olive oil to the pan, swirling to coat. Sear the pork on both sides for 3-4 minutes, until a nice crust is formed (this will lock the juices in).

Place the pork chops in an oven proof dish and continue cooking at 250 degrees while you make the sauce.

In the same skillet used to sear the pork chops, add one teaspoon olive oil and the shallot. Sauté 2 minutes before adding half of the wine. Use the wine to de-glaze the pan before adding half of the beef stock.

Change the heat to high and bring to a boil. Reduce to a simmer and cook until it reduces. Add the tomato pieces. Add wine and stock as needed to make more stock.

Remove the pork chops from the oven and nestle them into the sauce pan. Remove from heat and let sit one minute before serving. Plate the pork chops and spoon the sauce and tomatoes over the top of the chops.

Dammit Jim, I'm a cook, not a doctor...
Time: 25 minutes
Serves: 2
Calories: 439 per serving