A Super Bowl of Chili

Super Bowl XLV on a scale of 1 to 10 was about a 6. The football game could've been more exciting, the Black Eyed Peas could've tried to sing on key, the commercials could've been funnier. Personally I would've liked to see a commercial with Troy Polamalu and Clay Matthews remaking Willow Smith's 'Whip My Hair' music video, but nobody asked me. But, the game wasn't a complete blowout, Slash played at half time and the E*Trade baby still makes me laugh.

 

Outside of the television commercials and half time performances, the thing I look forward to the most on Super Bowl Sunday is chili. This chili combined the hot spice of Italian sausage with the smoky spice of chipotle peppers in adobo sauce with the slight sweetness of cinnamon. You should try it.

Here's the Recipe...

Brown and drain:

     1 lb. ground turkey

     1 lb. Italian sausage

Break up with a wooden spoon and transfer to the insert of a slow cooker.

Saute in oil:
     1 large onion, chopped
     1 green pepper, chopped
     1 red pepper, chopped
     4 cloves garlic, minced
Transfer to the insert of a slow cooker.

Add the following ingredients to the slow cooker:
    4 chipotle peppers in adobo sauce, chopped
    16 oz. tomato sauce
    24-32 oz. crushed tomatoes
    4 cinnamon sticks
    1/2 tsp oregano
    1/2 tsp cumin
    1/2 tsp cayenne pepper

    1 1/2 TB chili powder

    1/4 tsp cardamom

    1 tsp salt

    1 TB sugar

    1 bay leaf

Cook on high for 3-4 hours or on low for 6-8 hours.

In the last hour of cooking add:
    2 cans red kidney or pinto beans, rinsed & drained

    1 bag frozen corn

Serve with chopped green onions, cilantro, shredded cheese and corn chips.