Lord Varys’ No-Bean Chili

To most of you, it is Memorial Day Weekend. That’s cool, I’m on board. I get an extra day off. And this recipe is good for that. It’s stupidly-easy, amazingly delicious and a great accompaniment to burgers and brats. You can throw it together, drink beer, hang with your friends, come back to it later and it’s done. Boom.

But let’s get serious. This is my Game-of-Thrones-withdrawal recipe. This show actually makes me like Sunday nights. THAT is how bad I have it.  There is no new episode this week and the season is quickly coming to a close.

So this is how I’m coping. Making one of my recipes from my Game of Thrones menu. I encourage you all to also make it and weep for Westeros on Sunday night. 

Ommegang Game of Thrones Series

Lord Varys’ No-Bean Chili
adapted from Crockpot365
2 pounds sirloin, chunked
12 ounces smoked andouille sausages, thickly sliced
1 (28-ounce) can diced tomatoes (juices and all)
6 cloves garlic, minced
1 tablespoon cumin
2 tablespoons chili powder
½ tsp cayenne pepper
1 teaspoon kosher salt
3 cups beef broth
1 cup water
Any toppings your little heart desires

Break out that slow cooker. Load everything in— meat, sausages, tomatoes, onion, garlic, and all the seasonings. Stir in the broth.

Cover, and cook on low for 8 to 10 hours or high for 5-7 hours.

Serve and top! I like sour cream, cheese, crackers and chives.

Side Note #1: I previously served this with It Is Scones, a savory garlic bread scone. It’s rather nice to have a bread item of that consistency with the chili, but I’m unsatisfied with the recipe and in terms of flavor. If I get it worked out, I’ll be happy to post it in the future. But feel free to search your cookbooks or the internet for a similar item! I’m sure it will be wonderful!

Side Note #2: You could totally add beans to this. It just wouldn’t be as funny in the context of the show that way. But still delicious!

Side Note #3: You could replace your 1 cup of water with 1 cup of beer. If you are feeling hardcore and you have a stock of it, try using the Ommegang Game of Thrones Blonde Ale. But if you are feeling less hardcore, or just don’t have any, you can definitely substitute with another pale ale.