Bison Bacon Butternut Squash Chili

There’s really nothing more to say when you put bison and bacon together. So instead of making the usual burgers, I decided that since fall and winter are now upon us, that a soup/stew of some sort was in order. This chili will definitely warm you up on any brisk, cool, cozy up to the fire evening. Enjoy!

Ingredients:

1 ½ lbs. butternut squash (peeled, seeded and diced)

Tip #1: Feel free to substitute your favorite squash or sweet potato! I’ve used both butternut squash and sweet potatoes and they both turned out delicious.

1-2 tbsp coconut oil, melted

Tip #2: Ghee or grass fed butter would work just as well!

6-8 slices of uncured bacon

Tip #3: Adjust according to how much you love bacon.

1 lb ground bison

Tip #4: Or you can use grass fed beef, elk, venison, lamb! So many variations for whatever you’re feeling like…or whatever happens to be on sale at the store J

1 medium red onion, diced

2-3 jalapenos, diced

3 cloves of garlic, chopped

2 zucchini, diced (optional)

14 ounces organic diced tomatoes

¼ c Braggs apple cider vinegar

1 tsp Himalayan sea salt (according to your taste) 

1 tsp oregano

½ tsp cumin

½-1 tsp cayenne (depending on how spicy you like your chili)

½ tsp paprika

1 ½-2 tsp of chili powder

½ tsp red pepper flakes (optional)

1 tbsp. chopped parsley (optional)

Garnish selection:

·      Sliced avocados

·      Shredded raw milk cheese

·      Green onions

·      Parsley

·      Cilantro

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees

2. Mix butternut squash and coconut oil together in bowl and set in roasting pan (or a cookie sheet lined with aluminum foil) and roast in oven for about 25-30 minutes (until fork tender)

3. Cook bacon in large skillet over low-medium heat until crispy and set aside to cool.

4. Add bison to bacon fat in pan and cook through.

5. Stir in onion, jalapeno, garlic, and zucchini if you’re using it and cook until onions are translucent.

6. Add the spices: sea salt, oregano, cumin, cayenne, paprika, chili powder, red pepper flakes until combined.

7. Crumble bacon or chop bacon and add to pan with diced tomatoes and apple cider vinegar.

8. Bring to a simmer (low to medium heat) and let simmer until thickened, about 30 minutes.

9. Add chopped parsley (if you decided to use it)

10. Top with your favorite garnish!

Enjoy and be well! 

Adapted from Civilized Caveman Cooking Triple B Chili

http://civilizedcavemancooking.com/entrees/beef/bacon-bison-butternut-squash-chili-triple-b-chili/