One of the dishes that I like to cook is Chili. I’ve been messing with various combinations for years and I have come up with one variation that people seem to like alot and I’ve decided to share. Now, I will say that I very seldom actually follow a recipe, so keep in mind that any amounts listed below are estimates at best. I also tend to raid the fridge and throw in extra items that seem like they might be interesting.
This particular recipe makes a sweet tasting chili which has some heat that kicks in shortly after.
I’ve listed a couple of particular brands for some of the ingredients for the items where I think it makes a difference. Chances are that those items might not be available everywhere, but I’m sure an appropriate substitution can be found.
1 bottle or can of your favorite beer or other beverage. Some people like to add this to their chili, I don’t, it’s just for drinking while stirring the pot.
1 kg (2 lbs) of Ground Bison, Beef, or Turkey. Other meats may work well too, but these are the ones I’ve tried.
2 cans Campbells Tomato with Basil & Oregano Soup
2 cans Heinz Maple Style Beans (398 ml)
2 cans Red Kidney Beans
1 can Pineapple Tidbits
250 ml (1 cup) Cattle Boyz Honey Hot BBQ Sauce
75 ml (1/4 cup) Renee’s Gourmet Roasted Garlic Honey Sauce
15 ml (1 Tablespoon) Chipotle Chili Powder
75 ml (1/4 cup) Dehydrated Onion Flakes
400 gr (14 oz) Fresh sliced White Mushrooms
Brown the meat on high, adding in the Mushrooms and the Dehydrated Onion Flakes.
Once the meat is browned, add in the rest of the ingredients, stirring to mix. I include the juice from the Pineapple Tidbits, but if you are short on time you can remove the juice first to keep the chili thicker.
Once the Chili starts bubbling, turn it down to medium or low and simmer for at least 30 minutes, stirring frequently.
I like the Renee’s sauce because it has a fairly high garlic content, if you end up using a different Honey Garlic sauce you might want to add some additional roasted garlic. Someday I’ll come up with my own Sauce from scratch to replace the Renee’s and Cattle Boyz but that’s way down the road. I used to use Uncle Ben’s Sweet and Sour Stir Fry sauce and added garlic, but that particular brand got discontinued.
The Chipotle Chili Powder is the primary source of heat, so if you prefer a hotter chili you can add more of that. The amount listed makes for a fairly mild heat content.
Some people prefer a stronger tomato flavor, an additional can of Tomato paste or soup can easily be added, I’ve also found that adding a cup of Medium Chunky Salsa works well too.