Paleo Chili
Soooooo, guys, I have a problem.
The new job has lunch catered every day.
Every single freaking day.
From restaurants.
GOOD ONES!
Are you grasping the enormity of this?! My two favorite things in life, well besides my husband, and my dog, and my family, and my friends, and... well it's hard to pick favorite things, but if I had to, I would have to say my two favorite things (besides all those other things) are 1. food. 2. FREE food. Or maybe it's vice versa. Soooo... my point is... I've been pigging out. Maj. (Is that how the cool kids abbreviate "majorly"?)
But I have a solution!
And it comes in the form of more food! I needed something that would give me enough satisfaction that I would be able to turn down FREE food catered from restaurants, and paleo chili is just the thing to come to the rescue! This paleo chili is so, so, so, so good. I mean, it's good. Are you picking up what I'm putting down? Lot's of meat and sweet potatoes and a slightly tangy sauce. Plus you can whip it up in about 45 minutes! If that's not a life saver I don't know what is.
Seriously. Try it for yourself! Paleo chili is the way to go. You won't even miss the beans. Who really wants beans in their chili anyways?
P.S. You'll probably want to make a double batch - just double the ingredients below. The extras freeze great!
Paleo Chili
Adapted from Health-Bent
4 servings
1 pound ground beef (I use grass-fed ground beef 85/15 from Trader Joe's)
1/2 yellow onion, chopped
1/2 red bell pepper, chopped
2 medium sweet potatoes, peeled and diced small
1 - 28 oz can crushed tomatoes
1 tablespoon tomato paste
2 1/2 cups beef stock
1 tablespoon paprika
1 tablespoon granulated garlic
2 teaspoons chili powder
1 teaspoon onion powder
1 teaspoon smoked paprika
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1 tablespoon hot sauce (I use Tapitio)
2 tablespoons lime juice
*Side note - don't be afraid of 85/15 GRASS-FED beef. The fat in it is healthy fat since it is coming from animals that ate nutritious and natural grass as their diet.
Chop onions and bell pepper. Place a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat.
I've found that I can brown my meat and sauté the onions and bell pepper at the same time. If the meat has enough fat in it there is no need to add any extra oil for sautéing the onions and peppers. Throw your meat, onions, and bell pepper into the pot on the stove. Using a spatula or wooden spoon break up the meat as it browns into small pieces.
Once the meat is browned and the onions are soft, drain fat if needed. I usually push the meat and vegetables to one side and use a paper towel to soak up some of the fat. But I leave some for flavor!
Next, add your crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, beef stock, and all spices except hot sauce and lime juice. Stir well. Add your peeled and diced sweet potatoes. Bring to a boil and then reduce to simmer. Simmer for 30 minutes or until sweet potatoes are fork tender.
Add hot sauce and lime juice. Taste. Adjust seasonings as needed.
Enjoy a healthy and satisfying lunch... dinner... or even breakfast (just throw an egg on top!).
Love, Luck, and Happiness!