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Chili Mac Is A Super Bowl Star BY DANA JACOBI FOR THE AMERICAN INSTITUTE FOR CANCER RESEARCH

It's back! Super Bowl Sunday is upon us, this year for the 40th time. Over the decades, the focus of this event has evolved from a clash of athletes to a media circus known more for the half-time entertainment, and occasionally for unanticipated revelations, than for what happens on the playing field. Food-wise, fans gathering to celebrate this unofficial holiday now rack up snack and beverage sales second only to those for New Year's Eve.

Menus for Super Bowl parties have filled out considerably since 1966, when pre- and post-game commentary were succinct, and the half-time show consisted of marching university bands. The chips with onion dip, pretzels and pizza that fed fans during those early championship games would barely serve as a warm-up today. And ideally, many of us have replaced them with more health-conscious salsa, whole-wheat pretzels and lean fajitas.

Currently, football feasts, especially on this day of days, often consist of four "quarters," starting with crudités and dip, followed by nachos and quesadillas, then a main course during half time, and finishing with sweets like brownies and chocolate-dipped strawberries, or perhaps fruit kebabs for those who fired up the grill earlier in the game.

Following the Super Bowl's geography, many dishes have Southern and Southwestern roots, even if played in Los Angeles, or up North, as it will be in Detroit this year. Honoring this heritage, try making a hearty, California-style chili using flavorful ground sirloin and antioxidant-rich pink beans. Then, bringing in another all-American but especially southern favorite, combine this lean chili with macaroni and grated cheese, turning into it into ChiliMac, the ultimate comfort food. If you wish, you can combine them ahead in a casserole to reheat while watching the game.

Superbowl Chili Mac - Makes 6 servings.

• 1 Tbsp. canola oil
• 1 large onion, chopped
• 1 green bell pepper, seeded and chopped
• 3 garlic cloves, chopped
• 3/4 lb. 93% lean ground sirloin
• 2 Tbsp. chili powder
• 1 Tbsp. ground cumin
• 1 Tbsp. dried oregano
• Salt, to taste
• 1 can (28 oz.) tomatoes, drained
• 1 cup chopped cilantro
• 1 can (15 oz.) pink beans, rinsed and drained
• 4 cups cooked whole-wheat macaroni (4 oz. dry)
• 1 cup (2 oz.) shredded reduced-fat Cheddar cheese

Heat the oil in a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Sauté the onion, green pepper and garlic until the onion softens, about 5 minutes. Add the meat and, breaking up the meat with a wooden spoon, cook until it is browned, about 4 minutes.

Mix in the chili powder, cumin, oregano and salt. Add the tomatoes, breaking them up with the spoon. Mix in the cilantro.

Simmer 20 minutes, until the chili is moist and the meat is soft. Mix in the beans.

Just before serving, mix in the pasta. Divide the Chili Mac among six deep bowls, sprinkle with the cheese and serve.

Per serving: 365 calories, 10 g. total fat (4 g. saturated fat), 46 g. carbohydrate, 27 g. protein, 8 g. dietary fiber, 331 mg. sodium.

"Something Different" is written for the American Institute for Cancer Research (AICR) by Dana Jacobi, author of The Joy of Soy and recipe creator for AICR's Stopping Cancer Before It Starts.

The American Institute for Cancer Research (AICR) offers a Nutrition Hotline online at www.aicr.org or via phone 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET, MondayFriday, at 1-800-843-8114. This free service allows you to ask questions about diet, nutrition and cancer. A registered dietitian will respond to your email or call, usually within 3 business days. AICR is the only major cancer charity focusing exclusively on how the risk of cancer is reduced by healthy food and nutrition, physical activity and weight management. The Institute’s education programs help millions of Americans lower their cancer risk. AICR also supports innovative research in cancer prevention and treatment at universities, hospitals and research centers across the U.S. Over $82 million in funding has been provided. AICR is a member of the World Cancer Research Fund International.

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