Baked Chili (California Grill)

Recipe By : Chef Pleau, California Grill at Disney

Serving Size : 4

* SPICE RUB *

1 tablespoon          chili powder

1 tablespoon          paprika

1 tablespoon          ground cumin

1/4 teaspoon          salt or more to taste

1/4  teaspoon          black pepper  or more to taste

1  pound                 sirloin steak, trimmed,cut into 1/2"cubes

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3  teaspoons          canola oil

2/3 cup                  finely chopped onion

2/3 cup                  finely chopped celery

2                           garlic cloves, minced

1/2 cup                  jalapeno pepper,seeded and minced

2 teaspoons          dried oregano

1 medium              bay leaf

2/3 cup                  beer,preferably dark

20 ounces             chopped tomatoes, juice reserved

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1/2 cup                 red bell peppers,seeded and diced

(may be doubled)

vegetable cooking spray

1 cup                    cooked black beans,drained and rinsed

3 tablespoons        chopped fresh cilantro

3 tablespoons        chopped fresh parsley

1 tablespoon          fresh lime juice

* OPTIONAL GARNISH *

reduced-fat sour cream

fresh cilantro sprigs

fresh parsley sprigs

In a shallow bowl, stir together chili powder, paprika, cumin, salt and pepper. Dredge meat with spice mixture. Cover and marinate in the refrigerator for 1 hour or overnight.

Preheat oven to 325F. In a Dutch oven (stove top and oven proof casserole), heat one-third of the oil over medium high heat. Add half the meat and sear until browned on all sides, 5 to 6 minutes; transfer to a plate. Sear remaining meat in another third of the oil. Set aside.

Reduce heat to medium and add rest of the oil; add diced onion and celery and cook, stirring, until softened, 3 to 5 minutes. Add garlic, jalapeno, oregano and bay leaf; cook, stirring, for 1 minute. Add beer and bring to a boil. Cook, stirring, until liquid is reduced by half, 3 to 5 minutes. Add

tomatoes and their juice and bring to a simmer. Add browned meat. Cover, transfer to the oven and bake for 1-1/4 hours, or until meat is very tender (up to 2 hrs).

Meanwhile, spray a nonstick skillet, place over medium high heat. Add bell peppers and saute until tender, 3 to 5 minutes. When the meat is tender add the bell peppers, black beans and chopped cilantro and parsley to the chili; cover-- or partially cover if the stew is too moist. Return pot to oven and bake another 15 minutes.

Remove chili from oven. Discard bay leaf. Stir in lime juice. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper. Serve in bowls, garnished with a dollop of sour cream and cilantro and parsley sprigs.

MAKES 5 CUPS or enough for 4 SERVINGS, EACH: 332.7 cals, 10.9 g fat (29.6%

cff) 8.2g fiber

VENISON CHILI

as served at the California Grill located at Disney's

Contemporary Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Florida.

Eating Well magazine Nov 1997.

Original recipe used more oil and trimmed venison from the leg or shoulder. We tested with lean beef sirloin steak; nut brown ale; roasted green chili peppers.

VARIATIONS: Suitable for lean lamb, pork or turkey;

adjust the baking time. Served with cornbread and slaw.