Make Ahead Entrees

Bison Chili with Chipotle Peppers

2 pounds ground bison
2 cups chopped onions
3 tablespoons ground cumin
3 tablespoons chili powder
1 1/2 tablespoons garlic powder
2 tablespoons chopped canned chipotle chilies in adobo sauce*
1 15-oz. can diced tomatoes
1 15-oz. can chili beans
¼ teaspoon cayenne
2½ cups water
2 Tablespoons of white wine vinegar
1 cup finely chopped fresh cilantro
Grated cheddar cheese
Sour cream
Additional chopped onion
Sauté bison and 2 cups chopped onions in large Dutch oven over high heat until beef is cooked through, stirring often and breaking up beef with back of spoon, about 10 minutes. Add cumin, chili powder, garlic powder, tomatoes, chili beans and chipotle chilies; sauté 3 minutes. Mix in 2½  cups water, the vinegar and ½ cup cilantro. Reduce heat to medium-low. Cover partially and cook 1½ hours, adding more water by ¼ cupfuls if chili becomes dry. Season with salt and pepper. (Can be made 1 day ahead. Cover; chill. Bring to simmer before continuing.)
Mix remaining 1/2 cup cilantro into chili. Ladle chili into bowls. Serve, passing cheese, sour cream and additional chopped onion separately. Serves 4.

Cincinnati-Style Bison Chili
1 lb. ground bison
1 Tablespoon Mexican Seasoning Mix (recipe follows)
2 teaspoons unsweetened cocoa powder
1/8 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes
1 can (8 oz.) tomato sauce
½ cup water
2 cups cooked hot vermicelli
½ cup onion, chopped
½ cup cheddar cheese, shredded

Mexican Seasoning Mix
1/3 cup chili powder
1 Tablespoon salt
1 ½ teaspoons ground cumin
¾ teaspoons garlic powder

Brown ground bison in a Dutch oven over medium heat 8-10 minutes or until bison is no longer pink. Sprinkle 1 Tablespoon Mexican Seasoning Mix, cocoa and cinnamon over bison, stirring to combine. Stir in tomatoes and juice, tomato sauce and water. Bring to a boil; reduce heat to medium-low and simmer uncovered for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally. To serve, layer ingredients in the following order: vermicelli, bison chili, onion and cheese. Serves 4.