Quick and Easy Venison Chili

OK, your husband decided to go hunting this year with a few adventurous buddies and came home with tons of venison. What to do? Venison is a very lean meat that needs special preparation. If you have some of it ground up, it is perfect for a very delicious, lean and healthy chili.

No matter who you are, or who you are feeding, you cannot go wrong with a large pot of chili on a cold day. This particular venison recipe allows the chef to prepare the entire meal in less than 1/2 hour and look like a hero.

Quick and Easy Venison Chili

Ingredients:

• 1 Pound Ground Venison (you can substitute ground beef or ground turkey)
• 1 package McCormick Chili Seasoning Mix
• 1 (14.5-ounce) Can Diced Tomatoes, Undrained
• 1 (15-ounce) can Red Kidney Beans, Undrained (you can substitute Pinto Beans)

Optional Toppings

Hot Sauce of Your Choice (Frank's, etc.)
Sour Cream
Cheddar Cheese, Shredded
Tortilla Chips

Directions

Brown meat in large skillet on medium-high heat. Drain fat.
Stir in Seasoning Mix, tomatoes and beans. Bring to boil. Reduce heat to low; cover and simmer 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. Serve with assorted toppings, if desired. That's it!!!


Serving Suggestions
Spoon the chili into individual bowls, and top with shredded cheddar cheese, sour cream and a dash of hot sauce or sliced jalapeno on top. Place Tortilla chips around the edge of the bowl for dipping purposes, or simply serve them alongside at the table. This hearty meal can be stored in a sealed container in the refrigerator for a week's worth of enjoyment!

I have a large family and so I usually make the above recipe multiplied by six. Believe me, it goes fast and everyone in the family loves it including my two year old Jane. We freeze the extra in small containers and the kids defrost it in a microwave for a quick meal. For extra variety, add diced tomatoes with different added ingredients. Some supermarkets have diced tomatoes with onions, garlic, hot peppers, etc. Try them all. They really make each chili taste special. Have fun!!!

Steven Ircha is the Senior Managing Director of Aegis Capital, www.aegiscap.com, where he helps individuals and institutions manage their investments. He lives in Bronxville NY with his wife and five children. Steven attended NYU, Brooklyn Law School and the Harvard Business School.
Steven is also the assistant Scoutmaster of Bronxville Troop 5 and the Friends of Scouting Chair for the Westchester Putnam Council Boy Scouts of America. He frequently watches Jet's games with his brother-in-law,Woody Johnson,owner of the New York Jet's football team.
To contact Steven, please call 914-361-1099.