It's officially fall this week & who doesn't love some chili on a breezy fall night? Pair it with some fries and that kind of comfort food will make you want this all year long. Instead of running to Tommy's or Weinersnitchel for this feel good food, let's make a healthy alternative at home & enjoy a larger portion!
What you need:
-10oz Bison
-1 large white onion
-2 cloves garlic, minced
-1 red bell pepper, diced (about 1 cup)
-1 green bell pepper, diced (about 1 cup)
-2 tbsp chili powder
-1 tbsp chipotle Mrs. Dash
-2 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder
-1/4 cup brewed coffee
-2 cups diced tomatoes (fresh or canned)
-2 cups canned black beans
-1/8 cup of chopped cilantro
-10oz sweet potatoes cut into fries
-1 tbsp cinnamon
-1 tbsp basil
-spray pam
-1/4 cup green onions
-2 slices Bordon fat free cheese
What to do:
Chili:
Add the ground bison, onion and garlic to pan sprayed with Pam. Cook until meat begins to brown and vegetables become translucent
Place the mixture into a slow cooker
Add the remaining chili ingredients (black beans, chili powder, peppers, coffee, cocoa and tomatoes to the slow cooker and mix well
Cook on low for 6 hours
Stir in fresh cilantro
Sweet Potato Fries:
Preheat oven to 425 degrees
Spray large baking sheet with Pam and place cut sweet potatoes on. Spray a small layer of Pam on the fries as well
Sprinkle your fries with cinnamon and basil
Cook for 15-25 minutes (until golden brown)
Place your serving amount of chili on the fries, add cheese and green onions & feast out!
Benefits of Bison: There are plenty of benefits to bison as it is a great lean source of protein, however did you know it contains CLA in it as well? Conjugated Linoleic Acids (CLAs). CLAs are naturally occurring free fatty acids that are found in various meat and dairy products. Perhaps more important than what they are, are the many things they do for us such as:
Help increase muscle mass and reduce fat
Strengthen the immune system
Normalize thyroid function
Increase metabolic rate
Reduce the risk of various diseases including cancer, heart disease, diabetes, and hyperthyroidism