Virtual Chili Cookoff

Opsimath

Senior Member
Joined
Apr 20, 2015
Messages
4,527
Reaction score
4,061
Location
North Florida
I just visited last year's chili cookoff thread and noted that it was in April 2020, so maybe time for another round. This time, though, all chili recipes are welcome regardless of the kind of meat used, meatless, with beans, or beanless.
 
Last edited:

Opsimath

Senior Member
Joined
Apr 20, 2015
Messages
4,527
Reaction score
4,061
Location
North Florida
Sweet onion to taste (I'll use about 1/4 large onion), chopped/diced and sauteed in oil or butter until soft

1 1/4 pound lean ground beef browned with the onions (I use ground sirloin 90/10 lean to fat ratio. 1 1/4 pounds only because that's how I freeze it to make five 1/4 pound burgers when I use it for that so this is not a magic amount. Use more or less depending on what you like. I use 90/10 so it's not too greasy and I don't have to drain any grease off, or clean grease up. I'm all for making things as easy on the cook and cleanup crew - usually also the cook - as possible.)

1 can, 28 ounces diced tomatoes (Italian seasoned do well here, and I prefer diced to petite diced, but use what you like best)

3 to 4 cans, 14 ounces, of beans, undrained (dark red kidney, garbanzo, black, great northern, whatever), dump everything in

3 teaspoons chili powder (+/-)

1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (+/-)

salt, pepper, garlic salt to taste

Bring everything to a low boil, reduce heat and simmer until nice and hot, maybe 20 to 30 minutes or so. Stir occasionally. Can simmer longer if you like but I usually don't have time.

Serve with garnish options: chopped onion, grated sharp cheddar or other cheese, sour cream, etc.

Goes really well with a cast iron pan of fresh made cornbread, which opens the door to a host of cornbread recipes! No cornbread? Saltines and/or tortilla chips.

Haven't tried it with crusty fresh baked no-knead bread, but it's on my list to do so.


The chili recipe above is a guideline, really. Sometimes I add oregano and basil, brown sugar and cinnamon, seasoning salt, or whatever I feel like throwing in the pot. I have a friend who adds coffee and cocoa. I tried that once and it seemed good when it was fresh but I thought it tasted odd as leftovers. Every batch is different. Be creative!
 

Guildedagain

Enlightened Member
Joined
Jun 8, 2016
Messages
8,999
Reaction score
7,160
Location
The Evergreen State
Pinto beans are one of the most amazing foods on earth. Soak overnight, add salt whole soaking, I like the Himalyan Pink stuff, crazy good flavor, pressure cook for 35-40 minutes in the morning, and wow.

They're loaded with Tryptophan, the same thing that puts you to sleep after eating turkey.

So basically, a bowl of beans is like a bowl of weed ;[] Very soothing.
 

FNG

Enlightened Member
Joined
Feb 11, 2006
Messages
5,961
Reaction score
1,516
Location
Planet Earth
Guild Total
596
Sweat an onion.

Add 1 lb of ground beef, 1 lb of ground turkey, cook until done. I use 93% lean beef, 97% lean turkey. Trust me on the turkey! Add about 3 cloves minced garlic, cook for a minute or so.

Add one 28 oz crushed tomatoes, one jar of salsa, pick your heat level, one large can of tomato juice, 1 can pinto beans in chili sauce, 1 can each of kidney, garbanzo, and black beans rinsed. Trust me on the chickpeas!

Add approximately 1 tablespoon chili powder, 2 or more cumin, half tablespoon smoked paprika. Fresh ground black pepper, and about 4 or 5 dashes of tabasco. Don't add salt until it cooks for awhile, the tomato juice is pretty salty.

Cook until it all comes together, probably 30 minutes. Taste for seasoning, I usually add more cumin.

I usually just eat it with saltines.
 

geoguy

Senior Member
Joined
Mar 1, 2009
Messages
3,519
Reaction score
1,640
Location
metrowest MA
There is a great veggie chili recipe in the Silver Palate New Basics cookbook. The version that I usually make includes a couple of diced zucchini, but another variation uses eggplant instead of zucchini.

The authors of that cookbook claim that it is good & hearty enough that nobody will miss the meat . . .

Silver Palate New Basics Vegetable Chili
Ingredients
3/4 cup olive oil
2 zucchini, cut into 1/2-inch dice
2 onions, cut into 1/2-inch dice
4 cloves garlic, finely chopped
2 large red bell peppers, cored and cut into 1/4-inch dice
35 oz. Italian plum tomatoes
1 1/2 pounds ripe plum tomatoes, cut into 1-inch dice
2 tablespoons chili powder
1 tablespoon ground cumin
1 tablespoon dried basil
1 tablespoon dried oregano
2 teaspoons freshly ground black pepper
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon fennel seeds
1/2 cup fresh Italian parsley, chopped
1 cup canned dark red kidney beans, drained
1 cup canned garbanzo beans, drained
1/2 cup chopped fresh dill
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
Directions
1) Heat 1/2 cup of the oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the zucchini, and sauté until just tender, 5 to 7 minutes. Transfer the zucchini to a large flameproof casserole or dutch oven.
2) Heat the remaining 1/4 cup oil in the skillet over low heat. Add the onions, garlic, and bell peppers. Sauté until just wilted, about 10 minutes. Transfer the mixture to the casserole, along with the oil remaining in the skillet.
3) Place the casserole over low heat. Add the canned tomatoes and their juice, the fresh tomatoes, chili powder, cumin, basil, oregano, pepper, salt, fennel seeds, and parsley. Cook, uncovered, stirring often, for 30 minutes.
4) Stir in the kidney beans, chick-peas, dill and lemon juice; cook for another 15 minutes. Stir well, and adjust the seasonings to taste. Serve with bowls of sour cream, grated cheese, and sliced scallions alongside.
Serves 8ish
 

beecee

Senior Member
Joined
Apr 30, 2016
Messages
3,569
Reaction score
2,411
Pinto beans are one of the most amazing foods on earth.

They're loaded with Tryptophan, the same thing that puts you to sleep after eating turkey.

So basically, a bowl of beans is like a bowl of weed ;[] Very soothing.

Thanks. Will plan to pick up some pintos for the next pot.

Sure that wasn't intended as a pun but that was a great choice of words
 

beecee

Senior Member
Joined
Apr 30, 2016
Messages
3,569
Reaction score
2,411
Stayed home today after 2nd Covid shot yesterday....had some left over chili my wife made...she doesn't care for cilantro but I'll swear there was some in there...yummy
 

dreadnut

Gone But Not Forgotten
Gone But Not Forgotten
Joined
Jun 15, 2005
Messages
16,082
Reaction score
6,442
Location
Grand Rapids, MI
Guild Total
2
1lb breakfast sausage, 2lb ground sirloin, onions, sweet peppers, poblano peppers, jalapeno peppers, tomatillas, petite diced tomatoes, salt, coarse ground black pepper, 1 can water, juice of 3-4 limes, and cilantro. Let the whole mix simmer for at least 1 hour.
 

Opsimath

Senior Member
Joined
Apr 20, 2015
Messages
4,527
Reaction score
4,061
Location
North Florida
1lb breakfast sausage, 2lb ground sirloin, onions, sweet peppers, poblano peppers, jalapeno peppers, tomatillas, petite diced tomatoes, salt, coarse ground black pepper, 1 can water, juice of 3-4 limes, and cilantro. Let the whole mix simmer for at least 1 hour.
Limes? Never thought about them. Sounds kinda good and may have to try that.
 
Top