Are you sick of turkey yet?  We eat so early in our house for Thanksgiving (by 1 p.m.) that we always have a Round 2 around 7 or 8.  So, if you don't have pulled pork and it's right after Thanksgiving?  No problem!  This is a great recipe that you can substitute pulled turkey breast for!  It also camouflages the turkey and I bet your family will eagerly eat it up without complaining about MORE leftovers!

John and I had my yummy pulled pork tacos last week and I had about 2 cups of pulled pork left over.  It's not usually a problem (John LOVES eating leftover tacos!) but I had another trick up my sleeve!  I had conceived this chili in a dreamlike state the other night.  Seriously.  I have a habit of drifting off to sleep thinking of cooking contests.  When my day is over, and I am focused on creating dishes, its a nice way to decompress.  For this reason, I always have a notebook and pencil by the bed.

Sometimes I do shock John out of a stupor to reach over him and write something down (okay that might be poor execution on the notebook/pencil idea).  This time, I actually woke John up to ask him if it sounded good.  How do I get my boyfriend to stick around?  Sometimes I wonder.  Then I make chilis like this and I remember!
Pulled Pork, Black Bean, and Beer Chili
Serves: 4
1 red onion onion
4 garlic cloves
1 tablespoon olive oil
2 cups pulled pork (used leftovers)
2-14.5 ounce cans of black beans, drained and rinsed
1-14 ounce can of diced fire-roasted tomatoes, drained
1 cup canned tomato sauce
2 tablespoons cajun seasoning
1 can beer
cheddar cheese for topping, if desired

Dice the red onion, and mince the garlic cloves.  In the bottom of the crockpot on high heat, heat the one tablespoon of olive oil.  Add the onion and garlic and cook about 5 minutes, until translucent and fragrant.  Add pulled pork, drained beans, drained fire-roasted tomatoes, tomato sauce, and cajun seasoning.  Mix well.  Add beer.  Let cook on low for 1-2 hours.  Top with cheddar cheese if desired.  Serve immediately.

Enjoy your weekend, I hope it is spent like ours is going to be--with lots of food and family (my two favorite things!). 

Until the next time my oven is on...