Cooler weather calls for hearty recipes that will fill the senses and the stomach. Big Red Barn Chili is full of chunks of sirloin steak, seasonal vegetables and roasted chile peppers. Great for tailgating, fall outings or just to warm the day.
Fall is undoubtedly my favorite time of year. I love the cooler, cozy temperatures. The nudge toward slowing the pace from summer. The earthy warmth of the food.
One of my favorite annual activities in the fall is going to Rocky Mountain National Park to watch ‘The Rut’. Beginning in mid September the elk, who have been living at higher, cooler altitudes, come down to the mountain meadows to ‘score chicks’ basically. The big bull elk spar with each other and gather their harems of female elk.
The entire ritual (referred to as ‘rutting’) is a spectacle to behold. The highlight by far is their ‘bugling’, the unearthly call made by the bull elk. It’s indescribable with words. It sounds like a cross between a high pitched whistle, a shriek and a sound you’d expect a mermaid to make, or maybe like a broken clarinet. The meadows are still, the air heavy and crisp, making their munching of grasses, clattering of battling antlers and bugling as pronounced as someone yelling in a hushed library.
The best time to watch The Rut is at dusk. Having watched in the rain and snow, I always pack warm food and chili seems perfect. Not too fussy, always soul-warming and easy to manage. I came up with a recipe for the occasion based on all the vegetables available right now and with the type of heat I like; slow and simmering (not blowing smoke out your ears).
Wrapping squares of cornbread minimizes mess, makes it very portable and adds some fun to the meal. (No ‘Martha’ comments, please).
Serve with this delicious Cornbread recipe!
A young, rogue bull elk catches the scent of a harem. He hightails his testosterone-filled self over to the scene only to realize the bull elk at the helm is much bigger and older (you can count the ‘points’ on his antlers to see his age). The younger bull elk then averts his vision, and walks right past the harem as though he does not notice they are there. Often the established bull at the head of the harem saunters after him at a lazy pace to ensure he moves completely out of the territory.
Kim Bee says
Okay this is truly amazing. I grew up doing massive roads trips across Canada and the States and my Dad was adamant we see and experience nature at it's finest. I find this kind of thing so fascinating and it immediately makes me think of my childhood. So I got to see beautiful photos, be reminded of my childhood and see an amazing recipe. Doesn't get any better than that! Thanks for this one! xx
kita says
What delicious sounding chili.
I love the mountains. My mom took me once when I was a child, and I never grew out of it! I can't wait to see the Rockys someday.
Grace Boyle says
Oh my goodness! I have heard all about this but haven't gone up yet. What a crazy sound. Makes me uneasy haha, but I love it. I've already made chili twice in the last few weeks, so comforting. Beautiful pictures 🙂
tartedujour says
I love the Rut! What a great post… the video was amazing. Their bugling is truly indescribable…. mesmerizing! The chili looks like the perfect fall picnic!
Eliotseats says
My dad has a place near La Veta pass and we once saw a herd of 40 elk! I love it there. This chili sounds awesome as well!
Lea Ann says
Hey you stole my post! I'm in Estes as we speak and I swear I took a hundred photos of that same herd yesterday up in the park. 🙂 Only difference is I brought Posole and tortillas instead of chili and cornbread. Hubby just saw your photo of the chili in the ladle and commented on a great photo.
Chef Dennis says
Toni
those pictures are incredible! I kept hitting my head on the screen trying to get to the chili!
(just so you don't think you have the only impressive wildlife, we have a very big chipmunk rut just outside of camden!)
Thanks for taking us along with you!
Dennis
Cooking with Michele says
Beautiful post Toni – really lovely photos. Good tip on the handling of the chiles – I picked a flat at my CSA harvest festival this weekend and stemmed and seeded them without gloves – BIG mistake. My hands were on fire for a full 24 hours, despite multiple washings and every tip I could find online to remove the pain. Never again without gloves!
Toni (Boulder Locavore) says
Hi Lea Ann! A classic case of 'great minds think alike'! The Rut really is a signature of fall for me and I'd guess for you too. Can't wait to read about your trip and your delicious sounding food! It sounds like you are actually staying up there which would be grand at this time of year (we zipped up for the evening and back). Thanks for commenting!
purabi naha says
Lovely pictures of nature. I love fall too!! This chili dish is full of flavours and absolutely loved the recipe!