Super bowl party: Beanless Chili con Carne for a crowd

What if you aren’t the world’s greatest fan of football? What if you like to get together with friends? What if you need an excuse to eat some salty, sweet or gadzooks of finger food?

Here is the answer to “what if”: Super Sunday coming our way! Super bowl Sunday is so well named. Grab all of those neat bowls that are sitting on the shelves – forget the plastic, go for the decorative fun things you bought as a souvenir at your last PSC.

Now, find foods that fit the bowls!

Beanless Chili is my favorite main attraction. I add baking potatoes diced into bean sized pieces. These add some starch to the pot, and take on the flavor of the chili. Start this early in the day, and let it simmer. Remember, there are going to be side dishes and treats, so they probably won’t be coming back for seconds. But then again, it is so good…

Beanless Chili con Carne for a crowd

1 T olive oil
1 medium onion diced
2 lb ground beef
1 lb ground pork
2 large baking potatoes, peeled and diced into bean size pieces.
1 (16 oz) can crushed tomatoes
1 (28 oz) can diced tomatoes
1 (8 oz) can tomato sauce
2 T. chili powder
1 ( 4.5 oz) can diced (mild) green chiles
1 t salt
Dash of ground red pepper (cayenne), if desired

At least 1 ½ hours before serving:

Microwave the diced potatoes for 4 minutes with just enough water to cover them. Drain and set aside. (Save water to use in a bread recipe!)

In a heavy saucepot or Dutch oven over medium high heat, in oil, sauté the onions for 3 minutes, just until they are starting to turn a bit brown. Add ground meats and cook until meat loses its pink color, stirring often. Pour off fat. Add remaining ingredients.

Reduce heat; cover and simmer 1 ½ hours, stirring occasionally.

Yields 14 servings

Side bowls should be full of: shredded cheddar cheese; shredded Monterey Jack cheese; sour cream; green pepper; diced tomatoes; and a bowl of tortilla chips.