Chili as Redemption

Oops, I didn't blog this weekend. I really meant to, but I did not. And I even had stuff to tell you and everything!

Saturday night was our belated Valentine's Day dinner. I had planned a dinner and a movie date, but we realized there were no movies worth seeing (I already saw Silver Linings Playbook), so we managed to be smart and remember that we've always wanted to go to Travail but we never have time to wait for a table. And so, the boys were off to grandma's and we were off to scenic Robbinsdale.

Now, let it be known that I wouldn't normally advocate for a place that doesn't take reservations and therefore forces you to wait for 2+ hours for a table (in Robbinsdale no less!), but Travail is special. Bon Appetit even thinks so. I had the pleasure of eating there on my last birthday with 7 of my generous friends. (Pro tip: You can make a group reservation at the big round table if you're willing to pay a large flat fee.) 

We arrived around 5:20 p.m., put our name on the list, and ordered a drink in the waiting area. During the wait, we discovered the tots, which are made with potatoes and bleu cheese (I think) and are AMAZING. But, that's just a side note. 

Heaven is tiny desserts.

We waited about 2 hours. The scene gets a little tense in that waiting area - every time you approach the bar, people get defensive of their 1x1 space and want to be sure you know that they were there first. Even if you're not even trying to get in line...and especially when they finally call your name and you proudly walk in front of everyone to be directed to your table. 

Anyway...we got seated. They offer an 8- and 15-course tasting menu - we got the 8-course menu because I didn't think I could eat 15, although maybe next time I'll try. (Btw, they offer menu items a la carte and people might actually order them that way, but that's just a silly waste of a 2-hour wait for a table in my opinion.)

So we ate. I don't even know what it was...they just bring you stuff and some of it is a course and some of it is an "amusement" and it's all fun and lovely. There was soup that tasted like gravy and a sous-vide egg in something green that was amazing and many other things that I did not photograph because my battery was nearly dead. At one point we were asked to close our eyes and the waiter assembled a frozen peanut butter and jelly concoction on the backs of our hands. Oh, and there was dry ice and pop-rocks (which I spit across the bar). 

But probably my favorite was the last course, the "Bite Flight" (pictured above). Each one of those pairs is a mini version of a thing you want to eat! Bananas foster, s'mores, white russian, caramel apple, creme brulee, and possible my favorite idea: Pound cake 5 ways. (It's that tiny square you see all the way in back.) I was giddy. The only thing I like better than dessert is a tray full of a million choices of dessert! 

The whole thing was just fun. (I know, such amazing descriptions, right? I'll probably never be a food critic.) And it was nice being there with my husband because the whole meal is served to be shared between two people...which is okay to do with friends, but probably better to do with your sweetheart. 

So that was my Valentine's Day/Saturday. It was NOT healthy or even remotely gluten, dairy or sugar free. In fact, it was so indulgent that I couldn't even bring myself to bake a healthy treat on Sunday.

But, have no fear, I've still got a Smart and Good recipe for you - and it's so healthy that it can redeem you from any food sins you may have committed the day before. (that's how it works, right?) 

The prettiest chili can be.

My Favorite Vegetable Chili in the Crockpot (gluten/dairy/sugar free!)

2 tablespoons red wine (this has sugar, you can skip if you don't want it to be AMAZING) 

1/2 teaspoon olive oil

1 onion, finely chopped

5 cloves garlic, minced

1 green bell pepper, finely chopped

1 red bell pepper, finely chopped
1/2 jalapeno pepper, diced into tiny bits

1 rib celery, finely sliced

6 Roma tomatoes, chopped

1 can black beans, , rinsed and drained

1 can kidney beans, rinsed and drained

1 1/2 cups fat-free chicken or vegetable broth

1 can (6 ounces) natural tomato paste

1 cup frozen corn kernels

1 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon chili powder

1/2 teaspoon black pepper

1/4 teaspoon cumin

1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper

1/4 teaspoon dried oregano

1/4 teaspoon ground coriander

1. Heat red wine and olive oil in a medium skillet over medium heat until hot. Add onions and garlic; cook and stir until onions are tender. Put it in the slow cooker. 

2. Add all the other ingredients and stir it all up.
3. Put the lid on the slow cooker and cook on LOW for 7-8 hours.

I usually serve it with sour cream and cheese on top, but you can do whatever you want. And it's even better as leftovers the next day! And the next! And it's ALL good for you!