3 Bean Buffalo Chili w/ Johnny Cakes

Dinner Tonight: 3 Bean Buffalo Chili w/ Johnny Cakes

Cloudy, windy, and rain on and off all day today. They say some really cold weather moving in, a Saturday high of only in the 20's. Really didn't feel like cooking a lot today so I got in the freezer and grabbed the Crock Pot 3 Bean Buffalo Chili I had frozen. It's the last of Chili I had frozen, so I'll be making a new batch soon! For dinner tonight, I prepared the Crock Pot 3 Bean Buffalo Chili along with some Johnny Cakes.







I sat the Chili out overnight in the fridge to thaw and warmed it up in a medium sauce pan. I Love Chili especially this one that I make. I use Wild Idea Buffalo’s Ground Buffalo which is the best tasting Ground Buffalo that I’ve found. The 3 Beans I use are 1 Can (15 oz.) Chili Beans, 1 Can (15 oz.) Kidney Beans (rinsed), and 1 Can (15 oz.) Great Northern Beans (rinsed). Then I mix in 1 White Onion (medium Chopped or Minced), 1 Jalapeno Pepper (Unseeded and Chopped), 3 Cloves Minced Garlic, and 2 tablespoons of Jiff Reduced Fat Creamy Peanut Butter. First time I added Peanut Butter, a friend of mine that enters a lot of Chili Competitions told me to give it a try. It does give your Chili a rich flavor. For my spices I use 1 Packet McCormick Chili Mix, 2 Cans (6 oz.) Hunt’s Tomato Paste, 1 Tbs Ground Cocoa Chili Blend (McCormick), 1/2 Tsp Ground Chipotle Chili Pepper (McCormick), 1 Tbs. Ground Roasted Cumin (McCormick), 2 tbs Ground Cinnamon (McCormick), 1 Tbs of Cilantro Leaves (McCormick), and 5 Dashes of Frank’s Hot Sauce or to taste (I usually add a lot more dashes!). Throw in a 1/2 cup of Water and put the lid on the Crock Pot and set on low for 5-6 hours. Then you have yourself some good, comfort food Chili! You can serve it many ways; in a bowl or mug and top it with your favorite Cheese or Chopped Green Onions with a side of Oyster Crackers. Another way to have it is served on top of a Johnny Cake (Cornbread), which I did tonight,  or have a side of Cornbread with it.







To prepare Johnny Cakes all you’ll need is: Pam w/ Olive Oil Non – Stick Spray, 1/4 cup Extra Virgin Olive Oil, 1 3/4 cups Buttermilk, and 2 cups Martha White Self Rising Enriched White Corn Meal Mix. Just mix all your ingredients in a large bowl. Spray your Pam on a Flat Top Griddle or large Skillet and preheat on medium low, I use the Flat Top Griddle. When the Griddle is heated add your batter. You can make the Cakes any size you want from half-dollar size to regular pancake size cakes. After the bottom side turns golden brown flip over and let the other side get golden brown. To serve I placed mine on a plate and topped it with my 3 Bean Buffalo Chili and Shredded Cheese. And now it’s Comfort Food Heaven! The Chili is a perfect pairing with Cornbread no matter how you prepare your Cornbread. For dessert later a 100 Calorie Mini Bag of Jolly Time Pop Corn.









Crock Pot 3 Bean Buffalo Chili



Ingredients:


2 lb. Ground Wild Idea Ground Buffalo
2 Cans (6 oz.) Hunt’s Tomato Paste
1 Can (15 oz.) Chili Beans
1 Can (15 oz.) Kidney Beans, rinsed
1 Can (15 oz.) Great Northern Beans, rinsed
1/2 Cup of Water
1 Packet McCormick Chili Mix
1 White Onion (medium), Chopped or Minced
1 Jalapeno Pepper, Unseeded and Chopped
3 Cloves Minced Garlic
1 Tbs Ground Cocoa Chili Blend (McCormick)
1/2 Tsp Ground Chipotle Chili Pepper (McCormick)
1 Tbs. Ground Roasted Cumin
2 Tsps Ground Cinnamon
1 Tbs of Cilantro Leaves
5 Dashes of Frank’s Hot Sauce or to taste.
Shredded Cheese, I used Grated Dutch Gouda (Topping)
Oyster Crackers


Directions:
*Brown Buffalo in large saucepan on medium-high heat 10 min. or until no longer pink, stirring occasionally. Add all remaining spices and ingredients except 1 can of the tomato paste.
*ADD to slow cooker and add in the remaining 1 can of tomato paste and 1/2 cup of water.
*COVER with lid. Cook on HIGH 3 to 4 hours (or on LOW 5 to 6 hours).



*Serve in bowl or mug with cheese and the oyster crackers, A Tablespoon of fat-free sour cream, or serve with some home made cornbread.







Wild Idea Buffalo

Ground Round, 99% Lean
We use the Top Round and the Sirloin Tip cuts and remove all visible fat, for this super lean meat. It is rich and dark in taste and color. Substitute for any of your favorite ground dishes.





http://wildideabuffalo.com/









Johnny Cakes (My way)

Ingredients:

Pam w/ Olive Oil Non – Stick Spray
1/4 cup Extra Virgin Olive Oil
1 3/4 cups Buttermilk
2 cups Martha White Self Rising Enriched White Corn Meal Mix

Directions:

Just mix all your ingredients in a large bowl.
Spray your Pam on a Flat Griddle or large Skillet and preheat on medium low, I use the Flat Griddle.
When the Griddle is heated add your batter. You can make the Cakes any size you want from half dollar size to regular pancake size cakes. After the bottom side turns golden brown flip over and let the other side get golden brown. Serve while warm and enjoy!