This is my favorite Chili recipe, and I think it might be my husband's favorite. It's made in the slow cooker, so it's perfect for a lazy and chilly (!!!) Sunday. The recipe is from the Gimme Some Oven blog. It is just perfectly spicy. The last time I made this, I bought a can of the chipotle chili in adobo sauce. I did not use the whole can, so I froze the extra in individual ziplock bags.
I also had some breaded Fried Goat Cheese Balls in the freezer. I made the Goat Cheese Balls about a month ago, and I was waiting for the perfect meal to serve them with. Tonight's dinner fit the bill. The recipe is from the Half Baked Harvest blog. The sauce is nice and spicy!
Slow Cooker Chili from Gimme Some Oven -
Ingredients-
1 Tablespoon olive oil
2 pounds lean ground beef
1 medium red or yellow onion, peeled and diced
1 chipotle chili in adobo sauce, chopped (*add more for extra smokyness and heat)
2 (15-ounce) cans of tomato sauce
2 (14-ounce) cans of diced tomatoes
1 (4-ounce) can of chopped green chiles
1 cup beef broth
2 Tablespoons chili powder
1 Tablespoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon sugar
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
(Optional toppings: shredded cheddar cheese, crushed tortilla chips or strips, thinly-sliced green onions, sour cream, salsa, etc).
Method-
Heat oil in a large saute pan over medium-high heat.
Add the remaining ingredients and stir to combine them.
Serve warm with desired toppings.
1/3 cup all-purpose flour
1 pinch black pepper
1 1/2 cups Panko breadcrumbs
1 large egg, beaten
1 log (10 ounce) goat cheese
oil for frying
chopped green onions or chives, for serving
BUFFALO SAUCE
4 tablespoons salted butter, melted
1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
1/2 cup Franks Red Hot Sauce
3/4 teaspoon seasoned salt
1 pinch black pepper
Method-
Add the flour and a pinch of pepper to a medium bowl.
Add the egg and 2 tablespoons of water to a separate shallow bowl or pie plate.
Add the Panko to another medium-sized bowl.
Roll the goat cheese into 20-24 balls (about 1 tablespoon each).
Roll each goat cheese ball in the flour, then dip through the egg mix, and then dredge in the Panko mix.
Place each ball on the prepared baking sheet as you work.
Freeze for 20 minutes or until firm.
Meanwhile, make the buffalo sauce.
Mix all ingredients together in a small bowl.
If the butter firms up, warm the sauce in the microwave.
Heat 1-2 inches of oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
Fry the goat cheese balls in batches, 1 to 2 minutes or until golden and crisp on all sides.
Remove and drain on a paper towel-lined baking sheet.
Arrange the balls on a serving plate and drizzle with buffalo sauce.
Sprinkle with chives or green onions.