Chili - what's you recipe

[2manyhobbies]

It's that time of year when a bowl of hot chili is always good.  It seems that I never make my chili the same twice, but I do stick with the traditional beef, red kidney beans, grilled onions, and chili powder. 

So what's your recipe? 

[giant splinter]

You are in good company, I have yet to make it the same twice and lost my recipe on top of that, I would like to say that making your own chili powder is one of the keys to great chili. Also the beef is best if cooked in its own pan till very well done and then placed with the sauce and entire contents of the beef pan adding the peppers, onions, capers and chili powder so it blends together stirring every few minuets till they almost blend in with the rest of the works. The beans (cooked separately) should be cooked separate till they get soft and the juice is gone (I use the entire contents of the can) , The tomatoes are the last thing to go in the mix (important) the acidity in the tomatoes will not allow the beans to break down readily so add them at the end. The only thing I can find is the chili powder recipe and you will taste the difference when you use it, I like mine spicy so you need to adjust the mix and amounts according to your taste. get it all into a nice big pot and let it simmer for a few hours till it cooks down to the thickness you prefer.


Chili Powder:
1/2 tbl. sp. Tabasco chipotle sauce. optional
2 tbl. sp. store bought chili powder
2 tbl. sp. ground cumin
2 tbl.sp. mesquite seasoning
2 tbl. sp. sea salt
1 tsp. garlic salt

This is enough for a three pounds of cubed round tip beef batch.
The rest is up to you with the large sweet onions,whole peeled tomatoes,jalapenos,bell peppers,capers,dark red kidney beans,black beans,pinto and other beans also ok,garlic cloves,and your other favorite veggies.
I hope you enjoy it and I look forward to all the other recipes that will come forth on this post.
I can only hope that the above makes some degree of sense and that its clear enough to help.

[goose63]

HORMEL  :D : 8)

[drobertson]

This has to be done when the wife (Christy) is not around for sure,  it all starts in a cast iron skillet, onions, (fresh garlic), then ground beef, a smig of ground pork and or deer, or all deer, a blend that sounds like the previous, a shake here and there of the pantries offerings.  A little hot, a little sweet, just a little, beans, Oh yea, beans, peppers, the right amount of water, not too much,  then whatever happens after that, I'm not reasponsible, ;D,  then at least three hours to simmer, really, its worth the wait, Oh yea, almost forgot, Cheese! and either rice, or crackers, makes no difference to me,  and maybe a cold one and some October baseball! or college football, now I've got to get ready for another batch ;D   thanks allot 2manyhobbies! 8)
all I need is another excuse :D            david

[sawguy21]

I brown the meat with the onions and spices ('shrooms if I have them) then add the tomato paste, whole tomatoes (really add flavor), beans, water and whatever else happens to be in the fridge. Let it simmer, if it gets too thick add water and go back to the Seahawks game. Some shredded cheese, a thick slice of garlic bread and we are good to go.

[scgargoyle]

Try a little unsweetened chocolate in your chili recipe. You won't taste it, but it adds a richness and smoothness.

[Weekend_Sawyer]

Folks seem to really enjoy my chilli.
I like a lot of veggies and beans in mine.
In addition to this recipe I have started using my Big Green Egg to smoke the sausages and hamburger before adding them to the recipe.

1 lb ground meat
5 Italian sausages
2 28 oz cans chopped tomatoes
1 whole onion
1 red and 1 green pepper
4 jalapeños
1 stalk of celery
4 to 5 cloves garlic chopped
1 can each, drained of:
   Kidney beans
   Pinto beans
   Black beans (rinsed)
   corn
1/2 cup brown sugar
1  tablespoon of cumin
1 tablespoon of Italian seasoning
Salt, pepper, cayenne and chili powder to taste.

Add the meat to bubbling tomatoes and veggies, add beans and spices
Simmer at least ½ hour, taste frequently.

[mesquite buckeye]

Don't forget the chiltepines, dude. ;D ;D ;D

[Weekend_Sawyer]

Wild chillies don't grow here, they are probably too hot for me anyway.
I stop at jalapeno peppers.  ;D

[Chuck White]

Sometimes when I make chilli I end up not hungry anymore before it even goes on the table!  :

There's an old saying "the cook never goes hungry", and it makes sense. 

If you don't taste once in a while, you won't know if it's any good!  ;D

[Jeff]

I'm making cupboard Chile this afternoon. I'll let you know what I put in it after I see what is in the cupboard. :D

[Weekend_Sawyer]

Don't forget the cornbread.

I follow the recipe on the back of Indian Head Cornmeal.
Very good.

Jon

[Jeff]

We are having corn chips in lieu of crackers tonight. Fritos scoops to be specific. Also having hotdogs to have chile dogs.  ;D

[Weekend_Sawyer]

Oh yea! Frito pie!

[Piston]

Glad this thread was started.  I need to try making chili someday, this will be good reference. 

[Jeff]

Mine's done. Simmered for about 3 hours, now cooling enough to eat when Tammy gets home. I'm afraid I didn't keep very good track of what I put in it.  I can tell you various tomato products, kidney beans, ground chuck, lotsa onion, chile powder,salt,pepper, the hunk o' chocolate recommended earlier, a left over boiled potato from a previous meal (mashed into submission for a thickening agent).

[pabst79]

Give or take 1-5 ingredients,

  2lbs of meat ( I use 1 beef 1 venison)
  1 can of chili beans
  1 can of red kidney beans
  1 can black beans (drained)
  1 chopped sweet onion
  1 can sweet corn
  1 can tomato paste
  5 fresh diced tomato or 2 cans of red gold
  1 tablespoon of garlic powder
  1 teaspoon of cayenne pepper
  1 tablespoon of chili powder
  1 teaspoon of white pepper
  1 can of penn dutchmen mushrooms (my wife doesn't agree)

  Its always better as a leftover!! Oh and cornbread as a side is a must!

[Sprucegum]

Last time my son invited some friends to our woodlot/campsite he said we were going to have a "whatever chili". You bring whatever your favorite chili ingredient is and throw it in. He made sure he had the basic meat to start but anything goes after that. There was beans, tomatoes, mushrooms, celery, more meat, spices, spices, more spices, peppers.......Dang that was good chili!!

[cinnabar]

Made clean out the freezer chili yesterday and had it tonight.   
Seasoned ground meat, last of the red and green garden tomatoes, onion, beans, garlic, salt, cumin, left over pork stock, chili powder a couple tabasco peppers. 
When we have steak on the grill, I like to boil steak bones afterward and use the stock in the chili,  gives it a smooth rich taste.
MMM good, with cheese crackers.

[POSTON WIDEHEAD]

I can't add anything but I'm taking notes.

[Piston]

When we have steak on the grill, I like to boil steak bones afterward and use the stock in the chili,  gives it a smooth rich taste.

Excellent idea. 

[ron barnes]

I don't have a favorite recipe, I like most all chili.  I was working in NM a couple years ago and a girl made chili the normal way but then added small cubed potatoes to the chili.  I had never had it like that.  Quite nice addition.

[woodenboater]

you should try adding some shredded cheddar on top of the chill, mmmm good. used to work in a restaurant and I would usually stir it up good all day so it was super thick but not too broken down.

[Raider Bill]

I like chili over pasta and not to start a ford / Chevy,  green/orange debate but there must be beans in my chili. ;D

[Weekend_Sawyer]

Defiantly beans! I just started using white kidney (cannellini) beans. very nice!