February 3, 2017

  • Looking Chilier

    I have to start thinking about Super Bowl Sunday this weekend. My husband is very excited. We had thought that maybe we would have a our own chili cook off and invite a few friends but mostly his siblings (it is a very large group). However, I have hosted the last several get togethers for holidays and events. Frankly I think it is someone else's turn. So I resolved to have a little party here with just us and maybe a few friends. Just this last week Sparky's sister announced that she is hosting the chili cook off! Hurrah (I don't have to clean)! So I need to come up with a chili for the event. Last time I made a delicious Peach chili. It didn't go over very well. People liked it but not as much as some of the other chili recipes. His family is rather traditional and because they are from Minnesota where the use of spices is mostly frowned upon (the food tends toward the bland unless you count salt and pepper), they don't do really spicy. So I was looking for a flavorful chili, light on the "hot" spices, not sweet, and enough toward traditional that no one gets freaked out. I had considered Venison chili but there are several who would give me dirty looks for cooking "Bambi". I considered reprising my "award winning" creamy chicken chili - a white chicken chili. Sparky's sister made her version last year but it was too light on the chicken and too heavy on the beans. So after surfing the internet and reading about saintvi going on a chili crawl and giving a thumbs up to sweet potato chili, I'm considering these chili recipes:
    1. Black Bean and Sweet Potato Chili
    2. Turkey Corn Chili
    3. Beef and Beer Chili

    So xangans, what do you say? Should I make my every day chili (5 can chili) or be wild and crazy and try something new?? I'm waiting for your reply before heading to the grocery on Saturday to pick up ingredients!

Comments (20)

  • Have you taken your every day chili to this family event before? If not, I would do that. For a new one, I'm interested in the black bean/sweet potato chili.

    • If I took my regular chili there wouldn't be much variation among the entries... I'm leaning toward something more exotic. I'll put you down as a vote for the black bean and sweet potato!

  • I think a traditional chili would work better for a group that doesn't use spices. Living in a border state, it is hard to imagine chili without lots of chili powder, cayenne pepper, and/or other sources of real heat, so it's hard for me to give a good recommendation!

    • Hehe~ I can't handle the heat. I've never enjoyed a food so spicy you can't feel your lips when you're done eating. I probably won't bring ther everyday chili though it is pretty "kid friendly".

  • There will be plenty of traditional chili there. Walk on the wild side!

  • I've been to chili cook offs with variety like venison, white chili etc, but the most popular always tend to be traditional beef and beans.

    • Tradition is hard to beat. I'm thinking I'll try something a little different. Who knows - I could be a winner!

  • The winner of the chili crawl - judges' choice - was a cherry chili at Fuzzy Buttz that was all gone by the time we got there. I haven't heard what the people's choice winner was, but I hope the sweet potato chili got it. I was excited about the rattlesnake chili, but it disappointed. Next year you and Sparky should come up and do it with us.

    • That sound like fun! We have a chili cook-off here in October. At least they did a couple of years ago. I'm not sure they are still doing it. I'll have to check around next fall...

  • (Personally, I like to try a couple bites of each flavor available)
    If you bring something unique, people may try and like it, but since you enjoy it, if it doesn't go over so well with your traditionalist family, you can bring home leftovers and not worry about cooking the next day.

    • Sparky is excited for me to make the black bean sweet potato chili. He really is enjoying the leftover Creamy Chicken chili.

  • Use Wendy's chili recipe.....the best!

  • @murisopsis: Sweet potato

  • Beer... lol

    • I considered it but my sons thought that it was a waste of good beer to add it to the chili. They said it would be better to just drink the beer while eating the chili!

  • Whatever you make, add a bit of sugar ~ that's the key! :)

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