Just looking for some idea. I'm rather plain at the moment with mine. Red kidney beans, tomatoes/sauce, onion, green pepper, garlic, fresh lime juice, salt and pepper and a bit of vegetable broth. I'm using an already mixed seasoning packet. I just can't get it to taste right when I mix them on my own.
I've tried adding cinnamon (on a friends suggestion) and it so did not work for me. I'm willing to try most things though.
2009-02-13T21:14:47Z
Ben N- Thank you for the laugh. I quite agree on the cinnamon. I gave it a try once. She stands by it but I will never do that again.
And yes I added the seasoning packet. I am usually a strict by scratch person but for some reason when I mix my on seasonings its always so bleh. I've done dozens on combinations from chili recipes and the vast majority of the time it tastes nothing like chili and once wasn't even edible. I don't know why I have the issue with this one dish.
yogiT2009-02-13T20:53:32Z
Favorite Answer
try cumin or more chili powder ideas: celery parsley pinto or black beans salsa corn molasses
Please tell me you didn't add the "seasoning packet", i think that its soul purpose is to increase you blood pressure and make you food taste mediocre. As for the cinnamon and Indian spice, this is a basic chili not some weird ethnic concoction leave it basic and it will come out fine (cinnamon really not good in chili) A good homemade chili has 3 MAIN ingredients, Homemade chili powder, a cubed meat and beans(depends on who you ask but its optional), First the homemade chili powder, head down to your local mexican market or the www, and get some different varieties (look up a chili powder recipe on the internet), the meat can be anything you wish, chuck, lamb, pork will all work just fine, and kidney beans are fine as well. Then just stick with your basic chili ingredients and you'll be ok. To cook it brown the meat, add spices add the veggies, then stock and bring to a simmer and let cook for an hour or so meat should be tender. (crock pot for over night for the next dinner wouldn't be so bad either). cinnamon ,really!!! that's no good, and again chili isn't some indian dish (they have there own delicacies leave the chili alone) AND NO SEASONING PACKETS Hope this helps
Well I usually make my chili different ways. However my mom's is the best and it is simple.
1 can of tomato juice 1 pound hamburger cooked 1 onion sauteed 1-2 cans diced tomatoes 1 -2 cans of bushes chili beans 1 packet of Kroger mild chili seasoning (it is the best!) 1 cup of sugar a couple servings of cooked spaghetti noodles
Put all of the ingredients in a pot together and simmer for an hour.
NEVER forget the oregano. Good chili needs oregano, preferably of the Mexican variety. Dried or fresh, both are good.
Other things I like: garlic, lots of cumin, onion, green bell pepper, roasted chiles, cilantro, a little bit of ground mustard, paprika, just a smidge of unsweetened chocolate baking powder, brown sugar, and a drop or two of red wine vinegar.