The Great Chili Cook-Off

Okay....so the cooler weather on Friday left Jay and myself in the mood for some chili! You see...Jay's great cooking skills peaked while we were dating, and then disappeared when we got married...I kinda am guilty for taking over the kitchen anyhow! But...he has always held onto the title of making apparently the best chili! I've made it many many times for us...always making lots for the freezer...and he always loves it...but he always reminds me that he makes the best chili! So...we went head to head yesterday....me with my lovely cream cast iron pot filled with yummy Fresh Vegetarian chili...and he with his large stainless steel pot filled with Bison 'Man' chili! Both pots smelled wonderful...in my head his looked disgusting...and in his head, mine looked like it was missing something....the RED MEAT!

Now for the recipes...hmmm...that's kinda a tricky one because we seriously just winged it and added whatever we felt like...but here's a list of what each pot contained....both worth making again! The best part...we have enough in our fridge for the rest of the weekend...and about 8 meals worth in our freezer!! I LOVE that!! (Clearly labeled "Jay's" and "Steph's"...of course!)

Either recipe could have ground turkey or ground beef added or substituted!


Steph's Vegetarian Chili



2 large onions, chopped
1 head of garlic, minced
4 carrots, chopped
3 red peppers, chopped
2 jalapenos, minced
4 stalks of celery, chopped
1 bag of frozen corn
1 bunch of kale or spinach, finely chopped
1 can black beans, drained and rinsed
1 can kidney beans, drained and rinsed
1 can chickpeas, drained and rinsed
3 or 4 tablespoons chili powder
2 tablespoons crushed chili peppers (more or less, depending on how you like it!)
2 tablespoons cumin

2 cans chopped tomatoes
1 can crushed tomatoes
1 can tomato paste
half a bunch of cilantro, chopped
juice and flesh of 1 lime
1 bottle of Corona (optional....but SO worth it!!)

Alright...I think that is everything that made it into the pot! Throw everything in the first section into your large hot, that's already heated with a few dashes of olive oil. Let 'sweat' for a while until all veggies look semi cooked. Add the lime and Corona. Simmer out for a few minutes...add everything else! I think that's it!!




Jack Daniel's Jalapeno & Lime Chili (aka. Jay's Chili)



2 lbs ground xlean bison
1 onion, coarsely chopped
1 head of garlic, cut into very large chunks
1/4 cup Jack Daniels (optional...but Jay would say it's essential!)


2 red peppers, coarsely chopped
1/2 bag of frozen corn
1 apple, chopped
4 jalapenos
4 tablespoons crushed chili peppers
3 tablespoons chili powder
3 tablespoons cumin
lots of lime juice


2 cans diced tomatoes
1 can crushed tomatoes
1 can tomato paste
1 can kidney beans, drained and rinsed
1 can black beans, drained and rinsed
1 can chickpeas, drained and rinsed

Simmer first section until the meat is cooked throughout. Add second section and let all vegetables cook. Add third section and let simmer until ready to eat! Enjoy with shredded cheese on top and your favourite tortilla chips for scooping! Jay enjoyed some of his leftovers today with cooked brown rice macaroni stirred in....nothing like a little Chili-Mac to warm you up!


Both of us likely would have added some chunks of fresh pineapple to ours, had we had some on hand!

ENJOY....we still are!!