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Minnesota's Bountiful Bison: Tasty Recipes for Healthy Eating

Hey everyone! Lena Larson here, bringing you a hearty and healthy recipe straight from the heart of Minnesota. If you've never tried bison before, you're in for a treat. It's lean, flavorful, and packed with nutrients. Today, we're making Bison Chili – a dish that’s perfect for those chilly Minnesota nights.

Ingredients

  • 1 lb ground bison
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 large onion, chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 red bell pepper, chopped
  • 1 yellow bell pepper, chopped
  • 1 can (15 oz) kidney beans, drained and rinsed
  • 1 can (15 oz) black beans, drained and rinsed
  • 1 can (28 oz) diced tomatoes
  • 2 tbsp tomato paste
  • 2 cups beef broth
  • 1 tbsp chili powder
  • 1 tsp cumin
  • 1 tsp smoked paprika
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Optional toppings: shredded cheese, sour cream, chopped green onions, fresh cilantro

Instructions

  1. Heat the olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and sauté until it becomes translucent, about 5 minutes.
  2. Add the minced garlic and cook for another minute, being careful not to let it burn.
  3. Add the ground bison to the pot. Cook until it's browned and cooked through, breaking it up with a spoon as it cooks.
  4. Toss in the red and yellow bell peppers and cook for another 5 minutes, until they start to soften.
  5. Add the kidney beans, black beans, diced tomatoes, tomato paste, and beef broth. Stir to combine.
  6. Sprinkle in the chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Stir well and bring the mixture to a simmer.
  7. Reduce the heat to low and let the chili simmer for at least 30 minutes, stirring occasionally. For even better flavor, let it simmer for up to an hour.
  8. Serve the bison chili hot, topped with your favorite toppings like shredded cheese, sour cream, chopped green onions, and fresh cilantro.

Serving Tips

This Bison Chili is perfect on its own, but it pairs wonderfully with a side of cornbread or over a steaming bowl of rice. Enjoy it with your family on a cozy evening, and don't forget to sprinkle some extra chopped cilantro on top for that fresh, zesty kick!

Enjoy Your Meal!

There you have it, folks! A healthy, hearty, and delicious dish featuring Minnesota's bison. This recipe not only tastes amazing but also sticks to your healthy eating goals. Give it a try and let me know how it turns out in the comments below. Happy cooking!