Italian Style Game Day Chili with Quick Focaccia

Name: Italian Style Game Day Chili with Quick Focaccia
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 1 h
Total time: 1 h 10 min
Yield: 6 servings
Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients: 1 large eggplant, diced; 2 Tbsp plus 2 teaspoons extra virgin olive oil; 1 tsp kosher salt; 1/2 c small diced shallots; 1 lb ground mild italian sausage; 1 lb ground hot italian sausage; 1 c pepperoni, diced; 28 oz crushed tomatoes with basil; 2 Tbsp tomato paste; 2 tsp chili paste (such as sambal oelek); 1 tsp finely chopped fresh oregano; 1/4 c finely chopped fresh basil plus additional for garnish; 8 oz burrata cheese (fresh mozzarella may be substituted); QUICK FOCACCIA; 2 small prebaked pizza crusts; 1 Tbsp freshly grated parmesan cheese; 1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper; 1 tsp large grained sea salt; 1 tsp italian seasoning; 2 Tbsp fresh rosemary

By Veronica Callaghan
@citycat

This Italian-style chili has a rich tomato, shallot, fresh basil and oregano sauce for the base with a touch of chili paste. Roasted eggplant stands in for the more traditional beans and then it is topped with a creamy dollop of Burrata or fresh mozzarella cheese and served with quick Rosemary Focaccia.

Rating:

★★★★★ 1 vote5

Serves:

6 servings

Prep:

10 Min

Cook:

1 Hr

Method:

Stove Top

Ingredients

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1 large

eggplant, diced
2 Tbsp

plus 2 teaspoons extra virgin olive oil
1 tsp

kosher salt
1/2 c

small diced shallots
1 lb

ground mild italian sausage
1 lb

ground hot italian sausage
1 c

pepperoni, diced
28 oz

crushed tomatoes with basil
2 Tbsp

tomato paste
2 tsp

chili paste (such as sambal oelek)
1 tsp

finely chopped fresh oregano
1/4 c

finely chopped fresh basil plus additional for garnish
8 oz

burrata cheese (fresh mozzarella may be substituted)
QUICK FOCACCIA
2

small prebaked pizza crusts
1 Tbsp

freshly grated parmesan cheese
1/2 tsp

freshly ground black pepper
1 tsp

large grained sea salt
1 tsp

italian seasoning
2 Tbsp

fresh rosemary

How to Make Italian Style Game Day Chili with Quick Focaccia

Step-by-Step

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
Spread the eggplant in an even layer on a baking sheet and sprinkle with 1/2 teaspoon of kosher salt; let sit for 10 minutes. Drizzle 2 tablespoons of the extra virgin olive oil over the eggplant and using your hands gently toss to coat. Roast the eggplant in the oven until lightly browned, about 12-14 minutes.
In a deep heavy 2 quart saucepan heat the remaining oil over medium heat. Add the shallots and the remaining salt and cook just until translucent but not browned. Break apart the sausage into the pan with the shallots and cook until lightly browned. Stir in the pepperoni strips and cook for an additional minute.
Stir in the tomatoes, tomato paste and chili paste and cook for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally. Stir in the herbs and the roasted eggplant and cook an additional 10 minutes.
Meanwhile, to make the focaccia bread, arrange the pizza crusts in a single layer on a baking sheet. Drizzle the olive oil over each crust then sprinkle with the Parmesan cheese, pepper, salt, Italian seasoning and rosemary, evenly dividing. Bake crusts in the oven until browned and bubbly.
To serve divide the chili into serving bowls and top each with a portion of the cheese and garnish with additional fresh basil. Cut the focaccia into wedges and serve with the chili.