Good Chili? Good Recipe? (was) RE: [at-l] Stiffed by Hiker

[nealb@midlandstech.com (William Neal)]

I think I'm a good chili maker.  And I think I have a good (though loose)
recipe.  But everyone has their off days.  And everyone hates something
others like.  And sometimes a good recipe is going to be bad when someone
else makes it.  I'd rather try a batch of chili (or whatever) and compare
notes with other eaters.  Or to compare how it disgusts me or pleases me
over several attempts.  I know a "greasy spoon" that disgusts most people
because it is a greasy spoon, but it made the best fries.

Oh yes, there is the hotness factor in chili.  Some like it hot.  Some like
it cold.  And some like in the pot, 9 days old.

RECIPE: CHILI CUBED
Take three kinds of meat.  Usually beef, pork, and chicken.  Though venison
is good and "side meat" can be great.  Cut up into small to medium cubes;
you can use ground meat, but cubed is better.  Brown in pan.  Put in pot.  I
usually add sugar to the pot at this time.  Then I add some liquidy
substances.  Usually tomato substance (V8, tomato juice, paste, sauce,
etc.), beer (any will do, but I prefer using a beer halfway between "P**S*"
and "Heaven's Tears"), and Bleinheim's ginger ale (or any "hot" ginger ale).
Water will do if you can't stand the others.  Simmer awhile.  Replenish the
liquid.  Chop and add three kinds of peppers.  I like sweet, chili, and any
extra hot peppers.  Cut up and add to pot late in the cooking.  Adding too
soon may "cook out" the pepper flavor.  Cook until it is thickish. If you
like beans in your chili, add pintos, kidney, and navy, but cook them
separately and add towards the very end.  And if you demand onions with your
chili: Chop up sweet onions (if it's not raised in Vadalia, it ain't a
Vadalia onion), mild whites, and some hot onions & mix together and serve on
the side. 

Yes, it is loose.  But I've learned most of my cooking by watching and
experimenting.

William, The Turtle 



  
-----Original Message-----
From: Clifford R. Haynes [mailto:chaynes@megalink.net]
Sent: Tuesday, April 09, 2002 8:54 AM
To: rafe.bustin@verizon.net; at-l@mailman.backcountry.net
Subject: Re: [at-l] Stiffed by Hiker


Hmm So lets see if I have this right, according to you the chili sucked!
Given the nature of chili, that would imply that you needed to have your
stomach pumped due to the chili.
Now I ain't one of the Politically Correct in crowd that's popular on the
list, but even I wouldn't be so crass as to say someone's "Chili" sucked
when in fact it just wasn't made to my taste.
Soooooo since you " know how to prepare a reasonably good batch, in all
modesty", when and where can we get a bowl of your chili? I would really
like a taste of chili that everyone would consider reasonably good. Course
since it isn't possible for us all to meet in one place for chili, how about
sharing the recipe.


----- Original Message -----
From: <rafe.bustin@verizon.net>
> >     The chili really did suck -- Bryson got that part exactly
> >     right -- but I snarfed it down anyway.

> As chili is one of the few things I know how to prepare
> (and a reasonably good batch, in all modesty) I tend to
> be a bit critical about the stuff.