3-Meat Game Chili

The best part of this recipe is that it has bacon! It's not over-powering, but you can certainly hint that it is there. Brian purchased fresh, thick cut bacon from the deli rather than using pre-packaged. He also used one can of beer and beef broth instead of one or the other. And we cooked it in the crock pot for a couple hours. We topped with onions and cheese. 

Ingredients

• 1 lb. ground beef
  1 lb. ground sausage
  6 strips bacon, chopped
  1 yellow onion, chopped
  1 green pepper, chopped
  3-4 cloves garlic, minced
  2 cans diced fire roasted tomatoes
  2 cans chili beans
  1-2 cans beer (any kind will work)
  (OPTIONAL BEER SUBSTITUTE: 2 cans beef broth)
  1 tbsp. Old Bay Seasoning
  1 tsp. dry mustard
  1 tsp. crushed red pepper flakes
  1 tbsp. Chili powder
  1 tbsp. Hot Sauce (such as Hot Spot or Franks)
  2 bay leaves
  salt & pepper to taste

Instructions

• 1
  Set a large pot over medium-high heat. Add chopped bacon and fry until crispy. Remove from grease to a paper towel lined plate to drain.
• 2
  Add ground beef, ground sausage, chopped onion & garlic to bacon drippings in large pot. Cook, stirring frequently and breaking up meat until the meat is brown and the onions are translucent. Drain grease from meat mixture and return to pot.
• 3
  In a food processor, combine beans and tomatoes. Do not drain. (Depending on how large your processor is, you may have to do 2 cans at a time) Pulse until beans and tomatoes are pureed. Add to meat mixture. Add bacon back into meat mixture.
• 4
  Very slowly, pour 1-1/2 beers into your chili. Stir and set temperature to medium-high and bring to a simmer. Add seasonings, stir to combine.
• 5
  Simmer chili for about 20 minutes on low until some of the beer has cooked off. 

Taco Chili

This is a quick and easy crock pot or stock pot recipe. Everything is canned so if you need to clean out the pantry, this is good for that. I included the prices after each item, too. 

Ingredients

2 lbs Ground Beef ($14)

2 cans Rotel (I used the Jalapeno and Chili cans) ($2.40)

1 can Cannellini Beans ($.69)

1 can Organic Kidney Beans ($.99)

1 can Organic Corn ($.99)

1 can Hunt's Natural Stewed Tomatoes ($.79)

1 can Hunt's Natural Tomato Paste ($1.39)

1 can Tomato Sauce ($.69)

1 packet of Taco Seasoning ($.69)

1 packet of Ranch Seasoning (Not the dressing mix) ($1.79)

Total cost of recipe: $24.42

Directions

1) Brown the ground beef and drain the liquid.

2) In a stock pot, mix beef with all the other ingredients and bring to a simmer for at least one hour or more. 

Extras

• I've added black olives for extra flavor before.

• Garnish with sour cream, onion, and cheese

Balsamic Glazed Roast Beef

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 6-8 hours
Total Time: 6-8 hours, 15 minutes
Yield: 6 servings

Ingredients

For the roast:
1 (3-4 pound boneless) chuck or round roast
1 cup beef broth
1/3 cup balsamic vinegar
2 tablespoons soy sauce
2 tablespoons honey
1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
4 cloves garlic, chopped
1/4 teaspoon pepper


For the glaze*:
1 1/2 cups cooking liquid (from the roast, strained)
2 tablespoons cornstarch + 2 tablespoons water
3-4 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
1/4 cup brown sugar
1 tablespoon soy sauce
Salt and pepper, to taste

Directions

1. Place roast beef in a lightly greased slow cooker.
2. In a small bowl, combine beef broth, 1/3 cup balsamic vinegar, 2 tablespoons soy sauce, honey, red pepper flakes and pepper. Pour over roast beef.
3. Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours or until beef is tender.
4. Remove roast from slow cooker and slice or shred. Cover and keep warm.
5. Remove 1 1/2 cups of liquid from the slow cooker and pour through a mesh strainer into a medium saucepan.
6. Stir together cornstarch and water in a small bowl. Whisk into saucepan, along with 3-4 tablespoons balsamic vinegar, brown sugar and 1 tablespoon soy sauce.
7. Bring to a boil, whisking constantly, until mixture thickens. Season with salt and pepper, to taste. If desired, add additional water or cooking liquid for a thinner glaze.
8. *Pour glaze over beef and serve. I put the glaze in a gravy boat instead of pouring it over the beef. 

Slow Cooker Honey Sesame Chicken

http://damndelicious.net/2013/11/02/slow-cooker-crockpot-honey-sesame-chicken/

I made this and served over jasmine rice. It can be served with any grain you want. It was very good. I made a second batch of the sauce and froze it in a ziploc bag so the next time, I just have to add chicken to the crock pot and walk away. 

Ingredients

1 small onion, diced
2 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 cup honey
1/2 cup soy sauce
1/4 cup ketchup
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
1 green onion, thinly sliced for garnish
Sesame seeds, for garnish


Instructions

1. 
   
2. In a large bowl, combine onion, garlic, honey, soy sauce, ketchup, vegetable oil and red pepper.
3. Season chicken thighs with salt and pepper, to taste. Place chicken thighs into a slow cooker. Add honey mixture and gently toss to combine. Cover and cook on low heat for 3 hours and 30 minutes.
4. Remove chicken thighs from the slow cooker and shred the chicken before returning to the pot with the juices. Cover and keep warm for an additional 30 minutes.
5. Serve immediately, garnished with green onions and sesame seeds, if desired.