So I don’t have the best track record with the crockpot. Isn’t this the kitchen tool for hopeless bachelors? Like seriously, isn’t it the one vehicle for cooking food that you actually can’t f*ck up? Ummmm: so false. The first time I made Paleo chili – epic freaking fail. The good part: I was not making chili for company. The bad part: I thus had to consume a whole pot full of crappy chili, because I was not going to waste all that grassfed beef. Needless to say, I hung up my crock pot for a good 6 months after that experience – daunted, and well yes, defeated by the shear simplicity of it all. About a month ago though, I really wanted some chili, and I decided, you know what, why not – I’m giving that puppy another shot. (And this time I had two friends coming over so I really couldn’t have a repeat crappy chili incident.) Success! Well, at least, very edible chili ensued.

In an attempt to prove to myself that I could in fact conquer the crockpot, along with an intense desire to have beef stew, and a not so intense desire to hang out in my apartment while it cooked on the stove, I decided to give this recipe a whirl. I’m deeming it hearty and super solid. Crockpot – you are no longer the master of me. Take that bachelor, cooking appliance, and hello to putting a bunch of stuff in a pot and peacing out for hours on end only to return to delicious things. Currently, in fact, my apartment smells like scrumptiously roasting pork, of the soon to be pulled variety (from Civilized Caveman in case you were curious.) Love this thing! Continue reading →