Chili Mix

[CPASPARKS]

It is cold here in North Texas today. I am making a big pot of chili. My family has been using the same chili mix for years and years. We use Williams chili mix. I add a bit of extra comino (cumin). If you have not tried it, give it a shot. It is delish.

[asianflava]

Now all you need are some Fritos!

[Loader]

Sounds good, it is a good day for Chili, with or without the Fritos!

[mikeschn]

I really like the cumin. We have it in seed form, which we grind up in a mortar with some garlic. It really adds something to any dish you use it in.

What I'd really like to get my hands on is a recipe for the McCormick TexMex chili seasoning mix.

Mike...

[Laredo]

Mike,
your wish is my command. The package says:
CHILI PEPPERS, ONION, SALT, SPICES (INCLUDING RED PEPPER), GARLIC, RED AND GREEN BELL PEPPERS, SILICON DIOXIDE (TO PREVENT CAKING), AND JALAPEÑO PEPPERS.

Here's my bet: since it doesnt say anything about msg, they probably don't use any. I would guess that if you go to a grocery store with a Mexican section you can find dried chiles (look for dried serranos or New Mexico red chiles); but even if not you can make your own.

You will need:

Three parts chile powder, two parts paprika, one part ground cayenne, one part popcorn salt, one part ground cumin, two parts chipotle powder, and the following fresh ingredients: two jalapeno peppers, one red bell pepper, one green bell pepper, one head of garlic and one medium onion.

I like cilantro too but that's up to you. It comes as coriander seed as well.
Mix the powdered spices in an airtight container.

Peel and dice the onion; seed and dice the bell peppers. Mince two or three cloves of garlic. Put on rubber gloves and safety glasses. Stem, seed and mince your jalapeno peppers. Wash the knife and cutting board; throw the gloves away and wash your hands.

Spread the diced and minced vegetables on a plate lined with paper towels. Cover them with another paper towel. Put this in a microwave on its lowest setting and slow-dry them 10 to 15 minutes. Let them stand in a warm place until the plate cools. Mix the dried veggies into the powdered spices. Shake well and seal.

[mikeschn]

Laredo,

Dang, you're good... I'm going to have to try this...

Thanks...

Mike...

[gailkaitschuck]

I know there are about a gazillion different chili recipes out there.

I once came across one (in a Consumers Report evaluating canned chili) that called for adding Apple Cider vinegar to the recipe. I tried it on the family and it added quite a nice flavor (I add about 2 tablespoons to a big pot of chili).

Gail

[Chip]

I dont know if ya have ever heard of it or tried it but fix a pot of ya favorite chili,,, drop in a hershey dark chocolot bar and about two tablespoons of instant regular coffee,,, let simmer a while and give her a taste,,,

seriously, now ,,I am not overdosing on pickle juice,,, this is for real,,,

honest,,,,,,,,,,

chipper

[Laredo]

yep. or you can buy that stuff in most Mexican stores. they call it mole.

[PresTx82]

Here’s a good “Northern Chili vs, Southern Chili” story. I’m originally from the East Coast and my idea of “chili” is a big pot of beans and chili mix (hamburger, onion, etc.). I moved down to El Paso, Texas and they have a big “Chili and Wine festival” every year up in Las Cruces New Mexico (30 minutes away). I had seen the billboards advertising this event each year and finally I said that I was going to attend and sample me some chili and drink me some good beer. I had asked myself why anyone would ever even consider drinking “wine” with Chili, but figured “different strokes for different folks”. I knew there were wineries in the area and figured they were sampling wine as well. Bad combination in my book.

I go up to the event and paid my admission and the chili in question was West Texas/New Mexico chili, which is NOT the pot of beans and meat I thought it was. It was: http://www.nmchili.com/canned_products.htm

I laughed and sampled some of the wine they had and left unfulfilled as I didn’t score a bowl of chili or any beer. This event taught this gringo a good lesson.

[Laredo]

A bowl of red? Hmm. Or white?

Wine might go well with either, depending on the type.

[Raven]

A Texas Chili Contest –
If you can read this whole story without laughing then there's no hope for you. I was crying by the end. This is a scream!

Note: Please take time to read this slowly. If you pay attention to The first two judges, the reaction of the third judge is even better. For those of you who have lived in Texas, you know how true this is. They actually have a Chili Cook-off about the time Halloween comes around. It takes up a major portion of a parking lot at the San Antonio City park.

The notes are from an inexperienced Chili taster named Frank, who was visiting from Springfield, IL.

Frank: "Recently, I was honored to be selected as a judge at a Chili cook-off. The original person called in sick at the last moment and I happened to be standing there at the judge's table asking for directions t o the Coors Light truck, when the call came in. I was assured by the other two judges (Native Texans) that the chili wouldn't be all that spicy and, besides, they told me I could have free beer during the tasting, so I accepted."

Here are the scorecards from the advent: (Frank is Judge #3)

Chili # 1 Eddie's Maniac Monster Chili....
Judge # 1 -- A little too heavy on the tomato. Amusing kick.
Judge # 2 -- Nice, smooth tomato flavor. Very mild.
Judge # 3 -- (Frank) Holy sh**, what the hell is this stuff? You could remove dried paint from your driveway. Took me two beers to put the flames out. I hope that's the worst one. These Texans are crazy.

Chili # 2 Austin's Afterburner Chili...
Judge # 1 -- Smoky, with a hint of pork. Slight jalapeno tang.
Judge # 2 -- Exciting BBQ flavor, needs more peppers to be taken seriously.
Judge # 3 -- Keep this out of the reach of children. I'm not sure what I'm supposed to taste beside s pain. I had to wave off two people who Wanted to give me the Heimlich maneuver. They had to rush in more beer when they saw the look on my face.

Chili # 3 Ronny's Famous Burn Down the Barn Chili...
Judge # 1 -- Excellent firehouse chili. Great kick. Needs more beans.
Judge # 2 -- A bean less chili, a bit salty, good use of peppers.
Judge # 3 -- Call the EPA. I've located a uranium spill. My nose feels like I have been snorting Drano. Everyone knows the routine by now. Get me more beer before I ignite. Barmaid pounded me on the back, now my backbone is in the front part of my chest. I'm getting shit-faced from all of the beer...

Chili # 4 Dave's Black Magic...
Judge # 1 -- Black bean chili with almost no spice. Disappointing.
Judge # 2 -- Hint of lime in the black beans. Good side dish for fish or other mild foods, not much of a chili.
Judge # 3 -- I felt something scraping across my tongue, but was unable to taste it. Is it possible to burn out taste buds? Sally, the barmaid, was standing behind me with fresh refills. That 300-lb. Woman is starting to look HOT...just like this nuclear waste I'm eating! Is chili an aphrodisiac?

Chili # 5 Lisa's Legal Lip Remover...
Judge # 1 -- Meaty, strong chili. Cayenne peppers freshly ground, adding considerable kick. Very impressive.
Judge # 2 -- Chili using shredded beef, could use more tomato. Must admit the cayenne peppers make a strong statement.
Judge # 3 -- My ears are ringing, sweat is pouring off my forehead and I can no longer focus my eyes. I farted and four people behind me needed paramedics. The contestant seemed offended when I told her that her chili had given me brain damage. Sally saved my tongue from bleeding by pouring beer directly on it from the pitcher. I wonder if I'm burning my lips off. It really pisses me off that the other judges asked me to stop screaming. Screw those rednecks.

Chili # 6 Pam's Very Vegetarian Variety...
Judge # 1 -- Thin yet bold vegetarian variety chili. Good balance of spices and peppers.
Judge # 2 -- The best yet. Aggressive use of peppers, onions, and garlic.Superb.
Judge # 3 -- My intestines are now a straight pipe filled with gaseous, sulfuric flames. I messed on myself when I farted and I'm worried it will eat through the chair. No one seems inclined to stand behind me except that Sally. Can't feel my lips anymore.

Chili # 7 Carla's Screaming Sensation Chili...
Judge # 1 -- A mediocre chili with too much reliance on canned peppers.
Judge # 2 -- Ho hum, tastes as if the chef literally threw in a can of chili peppers at the last moment. **I should take note that I am worried about Judge # 3. He appears to be in a bit of distress as he is cursing uncontrollably.
Judge # 3 -- You could put a grenade in my mouth, pull the pin, and I wouldn't feel a thing. I've lost sight in one eye, and the world sounds like it is made of rushing water. My shirt is covered with chili, which slid unnoticed out of my mouth. My pants are full of lava to match my shirt. At least during the autopsy, they'll know what killed me. I've decided to stop breathing it's too painful. Screw it; I'm not getting any oxygen anyway. If I need air, I'll just suck it in through the 4-inch hole in my stomach.

Chili # 8 Karen's Toenail Curling Chili...
Judge # 1 -- The perfect ending, this is a nice blend chili. Not too bold but spicy enough to declare its existence.
Judge # 2 -- This final entry is a good, balanced chili. Neither mild nor hot. Sorry to see that most of it was lost when Judge #3 farted, passed out, fell over and pulled the chili pot down on top of himself. Not sure if he's going to make it. Poor feller, wonder how he'd have reacted to really hot chili?

[Laredo]

Okay ... guess what I need to do is ask if anybody has a good white chili recipe.

Do y'all?

[stjohn]

Laredo williams makes a packet thats not to bad I usually add a little onion and garlic powder It's not homemade but prettty good on a cold day

mike

[sdtripper2]

Lerado:

White Bean Chicken Chili

This is a recipe I find quick with little preperation
and oh so fine. When folks are ready to eat, this chili
will fill um up with smiles. The Great Northern White
Beans and chicken go well together.

1 onion, chopped
4 cloves garlic
4 cans Great Northern White Beans
1-4 ounce can diced green chilies
2 cups cooked shredded chicken
2 cups chicken broth
2 teaspoon cumin
1 teaspoon coriander
1 teaspoon cayenne
1 teaspoon oregano
2 tablespoons butter or olive oil

Extra heat?
For more heat I sometimes chop a Jalapeno pepper
and have it on the side for me.
The cayenne is usually enough for most.


* Saute onions and garlic with butter or olive oil until soft
* Drain beans
* Add beans & everything else and you're done.
* Well, you need to simmer it all to let it warm up.
* Serve in a bowl or mug with some fresh chopped parsley on top.