Venison chili
has several side dish options.
The meaty, slight gamey flavor of venison (deer meat) makes it an ideal addition to the bold seasonings in chili. Cooking venison in chili prevents this lean mean from becoming too dry. Venison is a very lean meat and, unless you add another, fattier, meat, the chili does not have the same mouth-feel from fat as beef chili. Serve side dishes to turn a simple bowl of venison chili into a filling meal. The sides should complement the taste of the chili and cool the mouth from the chili pepper heat. Starches and dairy-based side dishes are best for cooling the palate between chili bites.
Cornbread
Chili and cornbread are a traditional pairing. Use your favorite recipe for making cornbread, a packaged cornbread mix or a recipe from the Internet. For easier serving, pour the cornbread batter into a corn stick or muffin pan. Specialty pans make individual servings of cornbread, and the single servings do not crumble, as a piece of cornbread cut from a loaf does. To top the cornbread, serve regular or honey butter.
Rice
A bed of rice at the bottom of a bowl of venison chili does more than just add bulk. White rice absorbs the juices from the chili. These juices flavor the rice, transforming it into a savory grain. Mix butter into the rice, if desired, for more flavor. Brown rice can replace white rice at the bottom of the chili bowl. For a twist, take a cue from Cincinnati chili and serve the venison chili atop a bed of spaghetti with onions and cheddar cheese. Top cooked elbow macaroni with venison chili for a wild version of chili mac.
French Fries
Chili and cheese fries make a savory meal. Celebrity chef Emeril uses venison chili to top French fries. He then sprinkles shredded cheese over the venison chili. This is a hearty option for larger appetites. Use frozen French fries if you do not want to cut your own. For a leaner option, substitute the French fries with a baked potato.
Eggs
Cooked eggs have little flavor, but top those eggs with venison chili, and you have a meal to fill you up all morning. Fry or scramble eggs and top them with venison chili and shredded cheese. Serve the chili-topped eggs on top of a corn or flour tortilla, if desired, for a venison version of huevos rancheros. The tortilla absorbs excess juices from the eggs and chili. Rip the tortilla and use pieces of it to scoop up the chili and eggs. Even served without the tortilla, venison-topped eggs are a savory, filling start to the day.
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