Chili is generally an easy meal to make and, fun for some reason. Maybe the reason is that there are so many types and varieties.
Chili Chicken recipe
One of my best remembrances is of running chili cook-offs in Arizona about 15 years ago. Chili is a big thing in Arizona. I would run a chili cook-off with a craft show. Then, of course, I would get to taste all the chili. Arizonians like their chili hot and spicy and many is the night I would wake up with a stomach. However, the remembrance of the taste of the chili – was terrific – it was all worth the effort and the nighttime pain.
Generally, chili is made with ground beef – and the variations are endless, depending on the spice mixture you use.
Here is, a
Chili Chicken recipe with White Beans.
1 lb. chicken tenders or boneless skinless breasts, cut into
bite-sized pieces (pre-cooked)
1 cup of chopped onion
1 can Great Northern Beans (use organic)
1 can of black beans (use organic)
1 can Mexican-style stewed tomatoes, with juice
2 tbsp chili powder –
You can of course experiment with any spice combinations you want to try, just like the professional chili cooks would do.
Cook this in a crock pot for at least 4 hours, longer is better as the spices settle in.
There are other ways to make chili – like a gazillion ways. Talking healthy, chili – you might use turkey instead of beef. I found a recipe that uses 1/2 can of organic puree pumpkin. Pumpkin is loaded in antioxidants and vitamins A, C, and E and goes well with tomato sauce. You probably could add it to just about any chili recipe.
Time passes and as we age we find we cannot eat what we did when we were younger. Hence, sadly (in some ways) I have become a vegetarian. Not to worry… there are a ton of tasty spicy vegetarian chili recipes also. One of my favorites and one I use all the time is this recipe.
Vegetarian Black Bean Chili
1 can of tomato bits 16oz – (give or take)
1 can of tomato sauce
2 cans of black beans drained (organic)
1 tablespoon of oregano
1 tablespoon cilantro
1 tablespoon of chili powder
1 1/2 cups organic vegetable broth
1 onion
1 green pepper
1 can of organic 16 oz corn (drained)
fresh cilantro
some chives
– first sautee the green pepper, garlic cloves, and onion pieces, then add the rest except the corn and cilantro. Cook for a while and add the corn and fresh cilantro (to taste) just before you are ready to serve
Now, if you are looking to participate in a chili cook-off I suggest you read this article on About.com
Chili Cookoff- A Novice Tells You What You Need To Know
I might also point out that Countyfairgrounds.net has lots of chili event listings. Chili can be and has been a part of a lot of county and state fairs throughout the years as well of course as BBQ. I cannot think of any chili event that I have not had a great time at. There is something about the chili cooks…..
Oh, and not to be forgotten, your concession stands. How about making a chili cooking booth? I for one would love it. I have never seen a concession stand offering all kinds of different chili. I bet it would go over great. You could have organic, vegetarian, chicken chili and who knows what else.
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