This weeks theme for the Food Network’s #ComfortFoodFeast is Chili. I had considered re-publishing my daughter’s Three Bean Chili that highlighted a chili Emily had made that won the ‘Best’ award at her company’s annual event a couple of years ago but when I realized that was just last year I scrambled and dove into my pantry. I spied just enough ingredients to put something else together. Not a chili bean in site but some garbanzo beans and black beans did the trick and really, once you add them to beef, bacon and bourbon…do the beans really matter?
This was such a hodgepodge (wow, that’s an old fashioned word isn’t it?) but one that really succeeded. The smokiness of the Chipotle peppers combined with some molasses for sweetness was a perfect compliment to this bacon heavy version of chili. To tell you the truth if my pantry had been filled with more ingredients I would have doubled this in a heartbeat. It does have a nice smoky heat to it but if heat is not your friend, halve the amount of Chipotle chiles but don’t leave them out entirely. Please? They provide such a great flavor but beyond that, they are tempered quite nicely with the dollop of cool sour cream on top. This Smoky Beef, Bacon and Bourbon Chili was an altogether delicious dish.
Planning to host or attend a Super Bowl Party? I’ve published a week of good eats that would be great for the game this weekend, a ski trip if you’re so inclined or to be honest, just for you…sometimes you just have to treat yourself! They include:
- Bacon Wrapped Pretzels with Brown Sugar and Cayenne Glaze
- Blood Orange Cosmopolitan
- Slow Cooker Sweet, Spicy and Sticky Chicken Wings
- Totally Decadent Hot Chocolate with Amaretto
- Peanut Butter Cup Rice Krispie Treats
I’ll wrap up my week of party fare tomorrow with a cocktail too…trying now to decide…cranberry or lemon…hmm?
Be sure to check out the recipes from my partners in crime that are below; it’s that time of year…both cold and snowy and football all wrapped up in one package. Chili is the perfect antidote!
- ½ lb bacon, diced
- 1 lb. ground beef
- ¼ cup bourbon
- 4 cloves garlic,minced
- 1 tsp. dried oregano
- ½ tsp. dried sage
- 1 medium yellow onion, chopped
- 1 cup bourbon
- ¼ cup molasses
- ¼ cup orange juice
- ½ stick unsalted butter
- 1 tbsp. chili powder
- ¼ tsp. cayenne pepper
- 1 tsp. salt
- 1 can (7 oz) Chipotle peppers in Adobo sauce, peppers only, chopped
- 1 can (28 oz.) crushed tomatoes
- 1 can (15 ½ oz.) black beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 can (15 ½ oz.) garbanzo beans, drained and rinsed
- ¼ cup sour cream or yogurt
- Tortilla Chips
- Parsley or Cilanto
- In a large pot over medium heat, cook bacon until done but not crisp. Drain fat. Add beef, bourbon, garlic, oregano, sage and onion. Cook until meat is browned, about 6 to 7 minutes.
- Put beef mixture into slow cooker and add all sauce ingredients. Cook on low for 8-10 hours.
- To serve, garnish bowls with sour cream, tortillas and parsley. Serve with additional tortilla chips.
Feed Me Phoebe: Gluten-Free Chicken Chile Verde
The Cultural Dish: Game Day Turkey Chili
Big Girls, Small Kitchen: Classic Chicken Chili
The Mom 100: Barbacoa Beef Chili
Weelicious: Four Bean Chili
Napa Farmhouse 1885: Three Bean and Veggie Chili
Red or Green: Chili Dogs
Swing Eats: Slow-Cooker Chili & Jalapeño Corn Muffins (gluten-free)
Taste with the Eyes: Gourmet Bison Chili with Heirloom Cranberry Beans, Poached Egg
Creative Culinary: Smoky Beef and Bourbon Chili
FN Dish: Come Sunday, It’s All About Game-Day Chili Bowls
