For the Love of "Chili" Part Two

*Chicken & Sweet Potato Chili*

INGREDIENTS

1 tbs olive oil

1 medium onion, sliced

1 red bell pepper, seeded & chopped

2 garlic cloves, minced

3 tsp red pepper flakes

3 tsp chili powder

1 tsp cumin

1/2 tsp cayenne pepper

3 chipotle peppers, chopped

4 cups chicken stock

1 lb boneless chicken breast

2 lb sweet potato, peeled & diced

2 15-ounce cans cannelloni beans, drained & rinsed

4 green onions, sliced

sour cream

1.  Heat oil in large pot and add onion and red bell pepper. Cook until softened.  Lower heat and add garlic & chipotle and spices.

2.  Add chicken stock and sweet potatoes and stir to combine. Place chicken breasts into stock.  Set heat to high & bring to boil.

3.   Once stock comes to boil reduce heat to low & simmer for 30 minutes.  Remove breasts and allow to cool enough to handle.  Shred the chicken into nice rustic chunks.



4.   Return chicken to pot and add beans.  Simmer for 15 minutes.

To serve...ladle into bowls, top with spoonful of sour cream and and sliced green onions.  Note: don't cook too long as potatoes will break down and turn to mush.

*Pork Chili Verde*



*Senator John Tower's Texas Chili*

INGREDIENTS

3 lbs flank steak, coarsely ground

16 oz tomato sauce

1 cup water

2 tsp Tabasco sauce

3 tbs chili powder

1 tbs dried oregano

2 tbs cumin

2 onion, chopped

1 garlic clove, minced

1 tsp kosher salt

1 tsp cayenne pepper

1 tsp paprika

12 red peppers

4  fresh jalapenos, seeded & chopped

2 tbs flour

1.   Sear meat until lightly browned.  Add tomato sauce and water, stirring until blended.  Add Tabasco, chili powder, oregano, cumin, onion, garlic, salt, cayenne, red peppers & jalapeno.  Simmer 2 hours.  Thicken with flour mixed w/water.  Simmer another 30 minutes, stirring often.

*There is more to a meal than just chili. Any of these side dishes will, not only, compliment your chili they will dress up your table as well...*

1. Avocado & lime slices

2. Raw celery and carrot sticks

3. chopped onions

4. Finely chopped jalapenos

5. Soft Tortillas

6. Sour cream

7. Grated Monterey jack or Cheddar cheese

8. Guacamole
**Anyway you serve it...Chile makes a great family meal**