Need chili recipe good enough to win a cook-off

[Vwls]

Every year at Harvest Fair at my daughter's school there's a chili cook-off. Last year I entered and made what was one of the best batches of chili I've ever had, but it wasn't good enough to even place Actually I think it's a bogus competition because people vote for their friends and I don't really hang out with the other parents very much. But my theory is if I was to make a chili so mouth wateringly good - so fantastically unforgettable that no one could deny it was the best of the best - I could overcome the fix.

There's a lot of good cooks here, so I ask you - who has the chili recipe that will take this thing down?

Definitely using Faduniak's hot chili peppers in this!

[lewfather]

push up bra and miniskirt should bring the votes

[DirtyB]

Definitely using Faduniak's hot chili peppers in this!

Using super hot peppers is going to alienate a portion of the judges.

My favorite chili is Cincinnati style, with onion, beans, and cheese, on top of spaghetti. I like to put a little bit of chocolate, like 5 or 6 milk chocolate chips, and a dash of cinnamon. It creates a complex, amazing flavor. I have to think that judges would appreciate that more than just having their mouths on fire.

[WillieMcFML]

don't try to make regular chili, make something loosely resembling chili

only chance you have in a popularity contest

do they use spaghetti noodles in chili where you live? like a steak n shake chili 3way or 5way?

kind of like an office march madness pool, you're never win if you pick the favorites


edit:
and what lew said

edit2:
what barry said

[DirtyB]

I don't love this recipe, but it's a good example of Cincinnati style-

http://whatscookingamerica.net/Beef/CincinnatiChili.htm

[WillieMcFML]

and like my spaghetti, i always put hella parmesan cheese & sweet bell peppers (orange, red, yellow) in my chili

but what you really need is something to stand out

[TheXFactor]

Try this recipe...made with rum and beer.

Jamaican Jerk Rum Chili
http://cocktails.about.com/od/cookin...njerkchili.htm

[Vwls]

Definitely using Faduniak's hot chili peppers in this!

Using super hot peppers is going to alienate a portion of the judges.

My favorite chili is Cincinnati style, with onion, beans, and cheese, on top of spaghetti. I like to put a little bit of chocolate, like 5 or 6 milk chocolate chips, and a dash of cinnamon. It creates a complex, amazing flavor. I have to think that judges would appreciate that more than just having their mouths on fire.

I do use chocolate in my chili - agree it adds texture and complexity.

This needs to be fairly traditional to win- so no spaghetti... But I might be able to get creative in less obvious ways.

I don't plan to make the main pot super hot (it needs to have kick though), but I'll use one or two of Faduniak's chili peppers and then have a few chopped up to sprinkle on top for those who like it hot.

[lewfather]

Definitely using Faduniak's hot chili peppers in this!

Using super hot peppers is going to alienate a portion of the judges.

My favorite chili is Cincinnati style, with onion, beans, and cheese, on top of spaghetti. I like to put a little bit of chocolate, like 5 or 6 milk chocolate chips, and a dash of cinnamon. It creates a complex, amazing flavor. I have to think that judges would appreciate that more than just having their mouths on fire.

skyline chili is goat, a couple of coney's around me make a version of skylines chili.

[WillieMcFML]

also i've made some top top chicken chili before

replace ground beef with cubed tex/mex seasoned chicken breast

jerk seasoned chicken breast could also be a good balance if you choose to go with the cinnamon-chocolate-spaghetti direction


i would basically take all the suggestions in this thread so far & combine them

you need some heat but not enough to alienate a large percentage

and don't forget that bra from victoria's secret

ship it crucial

[Anal_Hershiser]

Don't forget too add Scott Tenorman's friends pubes.

[realchaser74]

Take your normal chili replaced the ground beef with a high quality small cubed beef. and a dash or 2 or cinnamon. when i did this to my chili it went from ok to DAM according to my coworkers.

[badguy23]

1 lb hot Italian sausage, cut into 1-inch pieces
1 lb sweet Italian sausage, cut into 1-inch pieces
1/4 cup water
1/4 cup olive oil
1/2 lb onion, coarsely chopped
3 tablespoons minced garlic
2 lbs ground chuck
3/4 lb green bell pepper, coarsely choppd
3/4 lb red bell pepper, chopped
1/3-1/2 lb green jalapeno, seeded and cut into 1/8-inch dice
3 (36 ounce) cans Italian plum tomatoes, drained
1 cup dry red wine
2 tablespoons tomato paste
1 cup minced fresh parsley
6 tablespoons chili powder
3 tablespoons ground cumin
2 tablespoons dried oregano, crumbled
1 tablespoon dried basil, crumbled
1 tablespoon salt
2 teaspoons fresh ground pepper
1 1/2 teaspoons fennel seeds
2 lbs fresh Italian plum tomatoes, quartered
grated monterey jack cheese or grated cheddar cheese
sour cream
sliced green onion
Directions:

1
Combine sausages and water in heavy large skillet over medium heat. Cook until sausages are brown, stirring frequently, about 10 minutes. Transfer sausages to paper towels and drain.
2
Heat oil in heavy Dutch oven over low heat. Add onions and garlic. Cook until translucent, stirring occasionally, about 7 minutes.
3
Increase heat to medium. Add ground chuck and cook until well browned, mashing with fork and stirring frequently.
4
Add sausage, bell peppers and chilies. Cook until peppers are wilted, stirring frequently, about 10 minutes.
5
Mix in canned tomatoes, wine and tomato paste. Stir in herbs and spices. Simmer 10 minutes, stirring frequently.
6
Add fresh tomatoes and cook 10 minutes. Tip pan and degrease.
7
Spoon into bowls.
8
Pass cheeses, sour cream, and onions separately.

Read more at: http://www.food.com/recipe/silver-pa...02?oc=linkback

[SrslySirius]

LOL at putting noodles in chili. Friends, I am disappoint.

[SrslySirius]

Here's how my family in Texas makes it FWIW.

Chili powder
Cumin
Garlic
Oregano
Cayenne pepper
Salt
Onions
Beef stock
Crushed tomatoes
Minced jalapeno (cut out all the seeds and "white meat")
Ground beef
Beef chuck

Sautee vegetables (except tomatoes). Cook beef separately, drain. Combine that stuff with spices, cook for 5-10 minutes, then add beef stock and tomatoes. Bring to boil, then slow cook for several hours.

I forget the exact amounts for the ingredients. I can go ask if you're interested.

[Muck Ficon]

LOL at putting noodles in chili. Friends, I am disappoint.

Wow. Thanks man.

That was a close one.

[Dan Druff]

LOL at putting noodles in chili. Friends, I am disappoint.

[Dan Druff]

Too bad Mel Sharples from "Alice" isn't still alive, or he could help you.

[408Mike]

Old family recipe uses ground turkey instead of hamburger (usually 2lbs will do) 2-3 cans of black beans (or 1 and 1 mixed with pinto beans) 2 cans of tomato paste, 2 cans of tomato sauce, 4 cans of green chiles (the kind you get from ortega) 2 cans of olives, 2 sliced onions and 2 packets of chili seasoning mix. I normally add a couple green bell peppers diced and let the whole thing simmer in a crock pot for at least 5-6 hours. You can also add more veggies which my mom does, she throws in cucumbers and some various types of squash, people seem to respond universally positive to adding my veggies and that could be the "thing" that you do which sets yours apart.

No need to make it hotter unless you are going for that specifically, in which case 2-3 sliced habanero's will be plenty for most people. I used to add maddog 357 to my chili until one girl ran out of the lunchroom screaming and in tears and I swore I'd never use it again.

The recipe above I have received unanimous approval at 3 different companies I worked for as well as several dinner parties, a grand total of about 220 people has eaten it and LOVED every bite (except the one girl who is probably scarred for life)

[hutmaster]

This recipe will guarantee you victory! I use cubed sirloin instead of ground beef and I don't add the mushrooms. I also add 2 cans of pinto beans and 1 additional can of kidney beans. The recipe has won multiple cookoffs.

Saute drain grease

3 lbs hamburger
1 green pepper, diced
1 red pepper, diced
1 medium onion, diced
3 -4 fresh jalapenos, chopped small
salt and pepper
garlic powder

dump into large pot crockpot and add

1/3 cup good chili powder
1 3/4 cups ketchup )
3 tablespoons lime juice, can sub lemon jc.
4 -6 tablespoons brown sugar
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
2 teaspoons vinegar
1 1/2 teaspoons mustard
1 1/2 tablespoons cumin
3 cups spicy hot V8
1 (16 ounce) can dark red kidney beans, rinsed and drained
2 (8 ounce) packages fresh sliced mushrooms, can sub jarred
1 (14 1/2 ounce) can del monte original stewed tomatoes, with the juice and break up tomatoes
1 cup beef bouillon (optional)

Stir and bring just to a low simmer, reduce heat and cook for at least 5-6 hours until meat is fork tender.