Chili Winner October 30, 2008
Posted by maumicannellchatterton in : Personal , add a commentSo – for 8 years I have been entering the Chili Cook-off and I have never won Best Overall Chili. I won most unusual one year (I made clam chowder – don’t ask) and I won runner-up last year (can’t remember the actual category I won) but This Year – 2008 – I Won Best Overall Chili and I can’t describe how thrilled I am. Now, the funny part? My kids, Stephen and Angela, have bugged me for years and years – “Mom, how come you never make YOUR chili??? It Would Win!” I didn’t make the chili that I make… oh, every few weeks from about October through March because… it is boring… it is just Plain Old Chili. This year, due to time constraints and such, I said the heck with it and made MY Chili and… yes, I know… It Won! So, several people have asked for my chili recipe and I thought I would just share it here.
The measurements are very NOT precise so most everything is to Taste.
Jumbo package ground beef (that 5lb. size) – Jumbo package of HOT Italian sausage (5lb. size) – large sweet onion (chopped) – large green pepper (seeded and chopped) – large red pepper (seeded and chopped) – Large can of chopped tomatoes (with or without additional seasoning included – totally personal taste – and do not drain) – small can of tomato paste – 1-2 cans of beef broth (depending on how “soupy” you like your chili) – 1 can of beer (optional – again, based on how soupy you like your chili) – 1-2 cans of chopped green chilies (in the “Mexican” food aisle – drain slightly) – and now, the complicated part: the spices. Chopped garlic (to taste – I use about 1 Tbsp.), 1 tsp. cumin, 1-2 tsp. thyme and oregano, chili powder (to taste – I use about 2-3 Tbsp.) OR (and I started doing this when I knew I didn’t have a lot of time to put the fixings together in the morning) TWO packages of McCormick’s Chili Seasoning envelopes – one HOT and one Regular. Yes, I know… cheating but it is all the ingredients combined, including the veggies and everything.
Brown the meat together and drain thoroughly. Divide the meat mixture – use one for NOW and package up the other and freeze for a future batch (That’s why I get the JUMBO sizes of meats – for future meals). Dump the browned meats into a crockpot and pour in the rest of the ingredients and stir. Turn on low and simmer for 9 hours or more (I did it at 11pm and cooked it all night for the Chili Cook-off). Don’t stir too often because you lose heat every time you open the lid.
Once it is cooked I add 1 Large can of beans (your choice – I’ve used red kidney, pink kidney, pinto, and black beans) or 1-3 small cans of beans (one type or mixed varieties), all depending on how much room there is in the pot. And I serve with shredded cheese, chopped onion. and sour cream. I Think that is everything, although it is something I make fairly often so I don’t really think about it anymore, I just do it.
And It Won! Yeah!
*** Note: if you are using the frozen meat, you can put it, still frozen, into the crockpot. Mix the remaining ingredients in a separate bowl and pour over and turn on and cook the same way. It all turns out about the same, although the frozen meat adds more liquid so keep that in mind.