Description
Indulge in the ultimate comfort food fusion with this Maple Bacon Bourbon Chili served over a crispy cornbread waffle. The rich, maple-infused chili is packed with tender beef, crispy bacon, and a hint of bourbon, creating a flavor explosion in every bite. The fluffy cornbread waffle provides the perfect base to soak up all the delicious juices.
Ingredients
– 1 lb ground beef
– 8 slices bacon, diced
– 1 onion, diced
– 3 cloves garlic, minced
– 2 tbsp chili powder
– 1 tsp ground cumin
– 1 tsp smoked paprika
– 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper
– 1 (15 oz) can tomato sauce
– 1 (15 oz) can diced tomatoes
– 1/4 cup maple syrup
– 2 tbsp bourbon
– Salt and pepper to taste
– 1 cup cornmeal
– 1 cup all-purpose flour
– 2 tsp baking powder
– 1/2 tsp baking soda
– 1/4 tsp salt
– 1 cup buttermilk
– 2 eggs
– 2 tbsp melted butter
Instructions
1. – In a large skillet, cook the diced bacon until crispy. Remove bacon from the pan, reserving the bacon fat.
2. – Add the ground beef to the bacon fat and cook, breaking it up with a wooden spoon, until browned, about 5-7 minutes.
3. – Add the onion and garlic to the skillet and cook for 2-3 minutes, until fragrant.
4. – Stir in the chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, and cayenne. Cook for 1 minute.
5. – Pour in the tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, maple syrup, and bourbon. Bring to a simmer and let the chili cook for 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until thickened.
6. – In a large bowl, whisk together the cornmeal, flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
7. – In a separate bowl, whisk together the buttermilk, eggs, and melted butter.
8. – Pour the buttermilk mixture into the cornmeal mixture and stir just until combined (do not overmix).
9. – Preheat a waffle iron and coat with nonstick cooking spray. Pour the batter onto the hot waffle iron and cook until golden brown and crispy, about 5-7 minutes.
10. – Serve the Maple Bacon Bourbon Chili over the warm cornbread waffles, garnished with the reserved crispy bacon.
Notes
For a thicker chili, simmer for an additional 5-10 minutes. You can also adjust the spice level by adding more or less cayenne pepper. The cornbread waffles can be made in advance and reheated in the oven before serving.
- Prep Time: 20
- Cook Time: 40
- Category: Comfort Food
- Method: Stovetop, Waffle Iron
- Cuisine: American