How do you like your chili?

[Halo_n_horns]

My chili is as strange as I am.

Ground beef, dark red kidney beans, Hunt's chili-flavored tomatoes (yeah, I'm a cheat), and a block of cream cheese. Thick and tasty and very simple. Serve over Fritos or Tostitos.

It sounds more like salsa with meat than chili. But it does sound it probably tastes pretty good.

 

[Kara.]

Keep away from me, you blaspheming heathen!

but it probably tastes good

It's awesome, actually. The one good thing I got out of my marriage.

 

[Halo_n_horns]

It's awesome, actually. The one good thing I got out of my marriage.

I'm just not sure what to say about that...

 

[Kara.]

I'm just not sure what to say about that...

Congratulations?

 

[Halo_n_horns]

Congratulations?

Congratulations!!!

 

[Kara.]

Congratulations!!!

Thanks!

 

[Samandiriel]

The best Chili joke.

A Texas Chili Contest
Recently I was honored to be selected as an outstanding celebrity in my new community, to be a judge at the annual chili cook-off because no one else wanted to do it. The original person called in sick at the last moment and I happened to be standing there at the judge's table asking directions to the beer wagon when the call came in. I was assured by the other two judges that the chili would not be that spicy, and besides, they told me that I could have free beer during the tasting, to help cleanse the palate, so I accepted this as being one of those burdens you must endure when you move to a new town. Here is the score cards from the event:


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Chili #1 Mike's Maniac Mobster Monster Chili
Judge One: A little too heavy on tomato. Amusing kick
Judge Two: Nice, smooth tomato flavor, Very mild.
Me: Holy smokes, what is this stuff? You could remove dry paint from your driveway with it. Took me two beers to put the flames out. Hope that was the worst one. These people are crazy.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Chili #2 : Authur's Afterburner Chili
Judge One: Smokey (barbecue?) with a hint of pork. Slight Jalapeno tang.
Judge Two: Exciting BBQ flavor, needs more peppers to be taken seriously.
Me: Keep this out of reach of Children! I'm not sure what I am supposed to taste beside pain. I had to wave off two people who wanted to give me the Heimlich maneuver. Shoved my way to the front of the beer line. The barmaid looks like a professional wrestler after a bad night. She was so irritated by my gagging sounds that the snake tattoo under her eye started to twitch. She has arms like Popeye and a face like Winston Churchill. I will NOT pick a fight with her.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Chili #3: Fred's Famous Burn Down The Barn Chili:
Judge One: Excellent firehouse chili. Great kick. Needs more beans.
Judge Two: A beanless chili, a bit salty, good use of red peppers.
Me: This has got to be a joke! Call the EPA I've located a uranium spill. My nose feels like I've been sneezing Drano. Everyone knows the routine by now and got out of my way so I could make it to the beer wagon. Barmaid pounded me on the back and now my backbone is in the front part of my chest. She said her friends call her "Sally". Probably behind her back they call her "Forklift".

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Chili #4: Bubba's Black Magic
Judge One: Black bean Chili with almost no spice.
Judge Two: Hint of lime in the black beans. Good side dish for fish or other mild food. Not much of a chili.
Me: I felt something scraping across my tongue but was unable to taste it. Sally was standing behind me with fresh refills so I would not have to dash over to see her. When she winked at me her snake sort of coiled and uncoiled... it's kinda cute.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Chili #5: Linda's Legal Lip Remover
Judge One: Meaty, strong Chili. Cayenne peppers freshly ground adding considerable kick. Very impressive.
Judge Two: Chili using shredded beef; could use more tomato. Must admit, the cayenne peppers make a strong statement.
Me: My ears are ringing and I can no longer focus my eyes. I belched and four people in front of me need paramedics. The contestant seemed hurt when I told her that her chili gave me brain damage. Sally saved my tongue by pouring beer directly on it from a pitcher. It sort of irritates me that one of the other judges asked me to stop screaming.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Chili #6: Vera's Verity Vegetarian Variety
Judge One: Thin but bold vegetarian Variety chili. Good balance of spice and peppers.
Judge Two: The best yet. Aggressive use of peppers, onion, and garlic.
Me: My intestines are now a straight pipe filled with gaseoous flames. No one seems inclined to stand behind me except Sally. I asked if she wanted to go dancing later.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Chili #7: Susan's Screaming Sensation Chili
Judge One: A mediocre chili with too much reliance on canned peppers.
Judge Two: Ho Hum. Tastes as if the chef threw in canned chili peppers at the last moment.
Me: You could put a hand grenade in my mouth and then pull the pin and I wouldn't feel it. I've lost sight in one eye and the world sounds like it is made of rushing water. My clothes are covered with chili which slid unnoticed out of my mouth at some point. Go Sally, save yourself before it is too late. Call the x-files people and tell them I've found a super nova on my tongue.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Chili #8: Helen's Mount Saint Chili
Judge One: This final entry is good, balanced chili, neither mild nor hot.
Judge Two: A perfect ending, this is a nice blend chili, safe for all, not too bold but spicy enough to declare its existence. Sorry to see that most of it was lost when Judge #3 fell and pulled the chili pot onto of himself.
Me: Mommy?

 

[Kara.]

Sam, you're my hero.

 

[Samandiriel]

Sam, you're my hero.

It's nice to be someones.

 

[Dar~]

mine is made with dark and light kidney beans and black beans.

I use ground turkey or even smart ground (TVP)
I put in a lot of Chili powder, cumin, fresh garlic, cayene, onions ,and a pinch of various fresh seasonings like oregano and thyme. (italian seasonings If I am broke).

I simmer them all together for a long itme usually hours sometimes a whole day. Serve with Fresh corn bread and a tall glass of milk.

 

[R. Richard]

Samandiriel:
Some time ago I had to travel to Texas on business. A friend and I were invited to dinner by a local family. Whoever cooked the dinner made up a batch of "mild" stuff for the small children and me.

My would-be hero friend tried the fully leaded stuff. He was able to choke down a few bites but only a few bites. Then he noticed that the locals were crunching some sort of small black beads with gusto. He tried a small black bead. He did not finish dinner. He spent the rest of dinner swirling mouthfuls of beer around trying to put out the flames.

It is too late for you, but DO NOT try to eat hot, spicy food with people who grew up eating liquid fire.

 

[Halo_n_horns]

I kinda envy you guys who are able to use any healthy dose of cumin in your chili's. That's one spice that just tears me up for some reason, but I love the smell and flavor of the stuff. Go figure.

 

[SeaCat]

A Texas Chili Contest
Recently I was honored to be selected as an outstanding celebrity in my new community, to be a judge at the annual chili cook-off because no one else wanted to do it. The original person called in sick at the last moment and I happened to be standing there at the judge's table asking directions to the beer wagon when the call came in. I was assured by the other two judges that the chili would not be that spicy, and besides, they told me that I could have free beer during the tasting, to help cleanse the palate, so I accepted this as being one of those burdens you must endure when you move to a new town. Here is the score cards from the event:


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Chili #1 Mike's Maniac Mobster Monster Chili
Judge One: A little too heavy on tomato. Amusing kick
Judge Two: Nice, smooth tomato flavor, Very mild.
Me: Holy smokes, what is this stuff? You could remove dry paint from your driveway with it. Took me two beers to put the flames out. Hope that was the worst one. These people are crazy.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Chili #2 : Authur's Afterburner Chili
Judge One: Smokey (barbecue?) with a hint of pork. Slight Jalapeno tang.
Judge Two: Exciting BBQ flavor, needs more peppers to be taken seriously.
Me: Keep this out of reach of Children! I'm not sure what I am supposed to taste beside pain. I had to wave off two people who wanted to give me the Heimlich maneuver. Shoved my way to the front of the beer line. The barmaid looks like a professional wrestler after a bad night. She was so irritated by my gagging sounds that the snake tattoo under her eye started to twitch. She has arms like Popeye and a face like Winston Churchill. I will NOT pick a fight with her.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Chili #3: Fred's Famous Burn Down The Barn Chili:
Judge One: Excellent firehouse chili. Great kick. Needs more beans.
Judge Two: A beanless chili, a bit salty, good use of red peppers.
Me: This has got to be a joke! Call the EPA I've located a uranium spill. My nose feels like I've been sneezing Drano. Everyone knows the routine by now and got out of my way so I could make it to the beer wagon. Barmaid pounded me on the back and now my backbone is in the front part of my chest. She said her friends call her "Sally". Probably behind her back they call her "Forklift".

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Chili #4: Bubba's Black Magic
Judge One: Black bean Chili with almost no spice.
Judge Two: Hint of lime in the black beans. Good side dish for fish or other mild food. Not much of a chili.
Me: I felt something scraping across my tongue but was unable to taste it. Sally was standing behind me with fresh refills so I would not have to dash over to see her. When she winked at me her snake sort of coiled and uncoiled... it's kinda cute.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Chili #5: Linda's Legal Lip Remover
Judge One: Meaty, strong Chili. Cayenne peppers freshly ground adding considerable kick. Very impressive.
Judge Two: Chili using shredded beef; could use more tomato. Must admit, the cayenne peppers make a strong statement.
Me: My ears are ringing and I can no longer focus my eyes. I belched and four people in front of me need paramedics. The contestant seemed hurt when I told her that her chili gave me brain damage. Sally saved my tongue by pouring beer directly on it from a pitcher. It sort of irritates me that one of the other judges asked me to stop screaming.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Chili #6: Vera's Verity Vegetarian Variety
Judge One: Thin but bold vegetarian Variety chili. Good balance of spice and peppers.
Judge Two: The best yet. Aggressive use of peppers, onion, and garlic.
Me: My intestines are now a straight pipe filled with gaseoous flames. No one seems inclined to stand behind me except Sally. I asked if she wanted to go dancing later.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Chili #7: Susan's Screaming Sensation Chili
Judge One: A mediocre chili with too much reliance on canned peppers.
Judge Two: Ho Hum. Tastes as if the chef threw in canned chili peppers at the last moment.
Me: You could put a hand grenade in my mouth and then pull the pin and I wouldn't feel it. I've lost sight in one eye and the world sounds like it is made of rushing water. My clothes are covered with chili which slid unnoticed out of my mouth at some point. Go Sally, save yourself before it is too late. Call the x-files people and tell them I've found a super nova on my tongue.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Chili #8: Helen's Mount Saint Chili
Judge One: This final entry is good, balanced chili, neither mild nor hot.
Judge Two: A perfect ending, this is a nice blend chili, safe for all, not too bold but spicy enough to declare its existence. Sorry to see that most of it was lost when Judge #3 fell and pulled the chili pot onto of himself.
Me: Mommy?

Oh that was good, I printed it out to send to my father, he'll love it.

In my Chili I use both smoked Venison and Beef, chunked. Pinto Beans, Onions, Chipotle and Jalapeno Peppers. (Fresh Jalapeno and dried Chipotle.) Fresh Garlic, Dark Beer, Molasses or Honey, Bay, as well as a few other things I find running around in the Fridge. (Chili is basicly stew with a bad attitude.) Brown the meat with half the Onions and toss in a crock pot. Add everything else and let it cook for at least 48 hours. (I often add a little Dark Rum or of I have it some Lightening.)

Great stuff but if you're new to Chili make sure to stock up on Prep. H, and hang a red flag outside the bathroom door.

Cat

 

[Extreme Bohunk]

I have a couple of different recipies for chili, depends on my mood.
The one thing I do with all of them is set half the meat aside, and add
it later. Adds a different element of flavor.

 

[Remec]

I'm making a big pot of chili today. I've got about 12 different recipies for different styles. Some are soupy and some are thick like a paste. Some call for ground beef and some call for beef stewing cubes. I even have one for chicken chili.
I like mine thick and hot enough to make my eyes water.

How about you?

It sort of depends on how I'm fixing it to be served. If it's to go over rice (a la red beans), then a little extra liquid is good. If I'm making chili mac for the kids, I might tone down the spiciness and beans.

As a rule of thumb, though, I use two regular sized can of beans per pound of ground meat matched by one form of tomato "stuff". My usual mix is to use three pounds of meat, six beans (2 dark red kidney, 1 light red kidney, 1 black, 1 pinto), a double-sized can of tomato sauce, 2 cans of rotel, and 1 can of enchilada sauce.

But, to me, chili is like making meatloaf or stew, the exact end result sort of fluctuates according to my mood...<g>

 

[~photoguy~]

my contri:

2.5 lbs sirloin tip cut in 1/2 inch cubes
1 lb hot italian sausage, casing removed
1 large onion finely chopped
6 garlic cloves, minced
1/2 lb pitted prunes
3/4 cup beef broth
2 bottles of cream ale (beer)
1.5 cups tomato sauce
4 tbsp chili powder
4 tbsp honey
1 tbsp cumin
1 tbsp paprika
1 tbsp oregano
1 tsp hot sauce
1 tsp salt

Brown sausage & beef, remove from pot, saute onion & garlic in the drippings, stir in prunes and broth and boil, add the meat, beer and other stuff, bring to boil then reduce heat and simmer for 2 hours yumm

 

[shereads]

No fingertips in mine, thanks.

 

[~photoguy~]

No fingertips in mine, thanks.

that's "sirloin tip" ... not "fingertip"

lmao