Hearty Chili

Michael is hosting poker night and the culinary stakes are high. Spicy chili, cheddar cornbread and “Buffalo” chicken wing salad with blue cheese dressing, and Michael’s own Hard Lemonade completes his hand.

• 'Buffalo' Chicken Wing Salad with Blue Cheese
• Cheddar Cornbread
• Homemade Chili Powder
• Michael's Hard Lemonade
• Spicy Chili

'Buffalo' Chicken Wing Salad with Blue Cheese

Yield: 4

Ease of Preparation: Easy

Ingredients:

Salad

• 2 chicken breasts, cut into chunks
• 1/4 cup flour
• Salt and pepper
• 1/4 cup oil
• 1 batch Spicy Chicken Sauce (recipe from this episode)
• 1 head of romaine lettuce, washed and sliced
• 2 ribs celery, washed and cut into sticks
• Juice of 1 lemon
• 8 ounces blue cheese, crumbled

Spicy Chicken Sauce

• 1/2 cup butter, softened
• 1/2 cup Franks hot sauce
• 1/4 cup ketchup

Directions:

Salad

1. Preheat a large skillet over medium-high heat.
2. Toss chicken with flour, salt and pepper until well coated.
3. Pour oil into pan and add the chicken.
4. Cook on one side until it's golden brown and then flip and cook the other side until the chicken is cooked through.
5. Remove with tongs and place in a bowl.
6. Pour Spicy Chicken Sauce over hot chicken, toss well to coat.
7. Put lettuce, celery and chicken into a salad bowl. Drizzle any excess chicken sauce over the salad and add the lemon juice.
8. Toss well and garnish with crumbled blue cheese.

Spicy Chicken Sauce

1. Whisk together the butter, hot sauce and ketchup.

Cheddar Cornbread

Yield: 4

Ease of Preparation: Easy.

Ingredients:

Cheddar Cornbread

• 1 1/2 cups cornmeal
• 1 cup flour
• 1/4 cup brown sugar
• 1 tbsp baking powder
• Pinch salt
• 1 tbsp chili powder
• 1 cup milk
• 4 x eggs
• 1 cup frozen corn
• 1/2 cup corn oil
• 1 cup grated cheddar

Directions:

Cheddar Cornbread

1. Preheat oven to 400°F.
2. Oil and flour an 8" x 8" pan.
3. Place cornmeal, flour, brown sugar, baking powder, salt and chili powder in a large bowl and whisk well to combine.
4. Blend together the milk, eggs, corn and corn oil.
5. Pour into the dry ingredients and add the cheese.
6. Stir just until combined.
7. Pour mixture into prepared pan and bake until golden on top and cornbread springs back when touched, about 20 to 25 minutes.

Homemade Chili Powder

Ease Of Preparation: Easy
Yield: 1 cup

Ingredients:

Homemade Chili Powder

• 1 x dried ancho chili
• 1/4 cup dried oregano
• 1/4 cup cumin seed
• 1/4 cup coriander seed
• 1/4 cup paprika

Directions:

Homemade Chili Powder

1. Grind ingredients in a spice or coffee grinder and store in a mason jar.

Michael's Hard Lemonade

Yield: 6

Ease of Preparation: Easy

Ingredients:

Michael's Hard Lemonade

• Lots of ice
• 8 ounces vodka
• 1 cup of sugar
• The juice and zest of 8 lemons
• Water

Directions:

Michael's Hard Lemonade

1. Fill a large pitcher with ice.
2. Pour in vodka, sugar, lemon zest and juice.
3. Stir well to dissolve the sugar.
4. Fill the pitcher with water and stir again.

Spicy Chili

Yield: 4

Ease of Preparation: Easy.

Ingredients:

Spicy Chili

• 1 lb. bacon, chopped
• 2 x onions, chopped
• 1 heads garlic, separated, peeled and sliced
• 2 x red peppers, chopped
• 3 -5 heaping spoonfuls chili powder
• 2 pounds ground beef
• 2 x x 28 ounce cans whole tomatoes
• 19 oz can black beans
• 19 oz can kidney beans
• Salt and pepper

Directions:

Spicy Chili

1. Heat a large pot over medium-high heat and add bacon.
2. Add a splash of water and let the bacon render its fat.
3. As the water evaporates, the bacon will brown.
4. Pour off excess fat and add the onions, garlic and peppers.
5. Cook until they are softened and just beginning to caramelize.
6. Add chili powder and ground beef and stir well, chopping the beef up with a wooden spoon.
7. Add tomatoes and beans and season with salt and pepper.
8. Simmer for an hour.
9. If you have a chance, make this a day in advance and reheat when needed. The flavours will brighten and meld as it rests overnight.

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