Please help: Chili recipe needed!

[M&M's Mommy]

My company will host a Chili Cook-off contest next month. The winner will be awarded with great prizes.. so help me win, please

Any Chili recipes are appreciated. I'll try them at home first before signing up to the contest, because the employees are the judge, and I have some very picky-eater co-workers

Thanks so much in advance,
Theresa

[DrKym]

I have a few, but they are all shall we say alarm bringers?? LOL.

If you want them and Phred has the trucks ready I will happily send them to you.

[Lobodeb]

What kind of chili are you looking for? I have a few recipes that I'm willing to share.

It might also help to know your location because chili is different in different places. For example, in New Mexico, my home state, is very different from Texas chili and is even more different from chili in California and Illinois.

I understand if you aren't willing to share that, however.

[M&M's Mommy]

I live in Southern California, and being Asian, Chili is foreign to me, and not something I would make at home.. so any recipe/help is appreciate.

The Chili cook-off is departmental, since I belong to the department that consists of two caucasian guys & four Asian gals of which, no one knows how to cook Chili

[cassiesmom]

Lobodeb, can you tell us what is different about Texas or New Mexico style chili? I don't have a good chili recipe. When I make it I use the mild McCormick seasoning packet, ground turkey, tomato sauce and kidney beans. Not very interesting but quick, easy and doesn't make a huge amount so I'm not stuck with a lot of left-overs. (i'm by myself)

Or - what about Cincinnati chili? (No beans - the unique ingredients are cinnamon, allspice and unsweetened cocoa). Serve it over spaghetti with grated cheese and onions on top.
http://www.wchstv.com/gmarecipes/cincinnatichili.shtml

[Daisy and Delilah]

My recipe is very similar to Elyse's(cassiesmom). I know the best thing in the chili to me is the cumin. Gotta have lots of cumin!! I love it.

[Lobodeb]

Lobodeb, can you tell us what is different about Texas or New Mexico style chili? I don't have a good chili recipe. When I make it I use the mild McCormick seasoning packet, ground turkey, tomato sauce and kidney beans. Not very interesting but quick, easy and doesn't make a huge amount so I'm not stuck with a lot of left-overs. (i'm by myself)

Or - what about Cincinnati chili? (No beans - the unique ingredients are cinnamon, allspice and unsweetened cocoa). Serve it over spaghetti with grated cheese and onions on top.
http://www.wchstv.com/gmarecipes/cincinnatichili.shtml

The difference is that New Mexico chili has varieties. Red or Green. (On a side note, that's actually their state question ) I find Texas chili to be a darker red shade with hints of how you described Cincinnati chili. That actually sounds more like a mole.

California, ok, that gives me something to work with. Do you have access to a latin grocery store? Or even your bigger chain stores might have what I'm thinking of. It's very easy to make, but you need to be able to find red chili powder. Think you can find some?

[kt_luvs_kitties]

Ok I will be the first to admit. I CANT COOK! BUT luckily my father taught me how to make chili. I made a few changes, but this is the best thing I can make, and it is so simple. My whole family loves it. (it is even better than my fathers )

I make mine with turkey meat. I dont eat beef, but everyone else in my family does....

1# ground beef or turkey

2 cans LIGHT kidney beans

2 cans DARK kidney beans

1 can chili beans ( I use bushes)

2 cans stewed tomatoes

1 can tomato paste

1 can tomato sauce

3 cans ROTEL chilis (any strength- hot/mild/original)

2 packs mccormicks any strength seasoning

1 large onion

2 cups water

I FIRST GROUND THE BEEF UNTIL IT IS ALMOST COOKED, THEN I ADD THE ONION. COOK UNTIL DONE.

I THEN USE A LARGE STOCK POT AND START ADDING ALL OF THE CANS. I PUT IN THE TWO PACKETS OF SEASONING. WHEN I AM DONE, I ADD THE GROUND BEEF. I USUALLY ADD ATLEAST 2 CUPS OF WATER TO MAKE IT A LITTLE MORE WATERY. I DONT LIKE MINE THICK...

COOK FOR AROUND 30-45 MINUTES
FEEDS 12 PEOPLE

HOPE THIS HELPS!!! Katie

[Freedom]

I thought any grocery store carried red chili powder? It is in with the McCormick spices? So I was surprised that you thought you had to ask about it, Lobodeb. Oh, I just checked my cupboard. It says "chili powder," and it is red. Not the same thing?

Also, I know some places do NOT consider kidney beans as a part of chili. "Chili does NOT contain beans!" is a motto somewhere; I thought it was Texas, not sure.

I will be watching this thread; I know some great recipess are here already and more to come!

[kt_luvs_kitties]

Freedom, I also heard that chili in Kentucky has rice/pasta with it. I had NEVER heard that in North Carolina. Melissa (doolittleky) told me, and I thought she was crazy!!! Guess she was right. I like new recipes, but I am petrified to try any. I cant cook. But chili seems pretty easy


And yes Mccormick has red chili powder and cumin in it.

[Lobodeb]

I thought any grocery store carried red chili powder? It is in with the McCormick spices? So I was surprised that you thought you had to ask about it, Lobodeb. Oh, I just checked my cupboard. It says "chili powder," and it is red. Not the same thing?

Nah, that McCormick stuff isn't the same thing. The chili powder I'm thinking about comes in a little plastic bag with a paper wrapper on top. It's more potent. It's not "burn you twice" strength, but it is certainly more flavorful.

I'lll try to find some in the cupboard and take a picture for you.

[cassiesmom]

M&M&M's Mommy, how is the chili testing going?

[M&M's Mommy]

I'll try the receipes this weekend, and will let you guys know if I'm sucessful or not. I'm not much of a cook, so I'm not too confident about how it will turn out.

PS: Thanks for adding another M to my name .

[Karen]

Ah, but even if you're not much of a cook, chili is the best thing in the world to try. Too bland? Add more red peppr. Too thick? Add a little water. Too spicy? Add more tomatoes. Too acidy? Add a tablespoon of sugar ... etc. etc. There's no set quantity, so you can keep adding stuff until it tastes good!

Sigh. I miss Chili. But without the peppers, the beans, or the beef - all of which I am now allergic to - there ain't much point. Sigh.

[slick]

I have an awesome recipe. It's called "A Red Hot Chili Nightmare". I made it down at Gini's one year and everyone loved it............maybe because there is chocolate in it!!!!

When I get home from work I'll post the recipe. Even if you don't use it, someone might find it interesting enough to try out.