Yeah, yeah, I know purists insist that real chili doesn't have beans, but since the Alli-ance has to control fat grams, and limit red meat consumption, I'm borrowing from the poorer roots of chili, San Antonio Tex-Mex. This is a quick American style, using dry seasonings instead of fresh chilies, but you can substitute jalapeños, habañeros or any kind of fresh chili pepper. I call this chili "bajo" because it is "Low, Low, Low, Low" just like the hip hop song of the same name. It's low salt, low fat, and low carbs. I used ground buffalo instead of ground beef, precisely because it is lower in fat and taste the same, but you can use extra lean ground beef (90/10 or better), or even ground venison (yum!).

• 1/2 lb (8 oz)            Maverick Ranch Natural Buffalo 97% Extra Lean Ground Round
• 3/4 c (6 oz)             Hunt's No Salt Added Tomato Sauce (or store brand)
• 1 1/2 cup (12 oz)    Pomi Chopped Tomatoes (or other cartoned chopped tomatoes)
• 1 can (15 oz)          Bush's Reduced Salt Red Kidney Beans (or store brand)
• 1/2 cup (4 oz)         diced yellow onion
• 1 tbsp                     minced garlic
• 1 tsp                       Mrs. Dash Southwest Chipotle Seasoning
• 1 1/2 tsp                 Ground Cumin
  
• 1/2 cup (4 oz)         Sargento Reduced Fat 4 Cheese Mexican Shredded Cheese
•                                Pam, Olivio or any cooking spray

1. Preheat large skillet or small dutch oven, over medium high heat. ("6" on gas cooktop).
2. Spray pan with cooking spray.
3. Begin sauteeing diced onions and minced garlic in pan.
4. When onions are halfway done, add more cooking spray.
5. Add buffalo ground round and sautee until just brown (be careful not to overcook, buffalo browns faster than beef, and it will simmer additionally with beans and tomatoes).
6. Add chopped tomatoes, tomato sauce, Mrs. Dash, cumin and stir.
7. Rinse kidney beans in a collander with cold water,
8. Add kidney beans to pan and stir.
9. Reduce heat to low ("3" on gas cooktop) and simmer for 10 minutes.
10. Halve and top with shredded cheese.

   *serves 2

 **a pinch of salt can be added before cheese, to make chili more savory and bring out flavors.

***an extra teaspoon of Mrs. Dash gives it some real kick & heat your mouth will feel!

Nutrition