What do you put in your chili?

beer and one piece of a Hershey chocolate bar..just one small square..I got that tip from winner of the texas chili cook off in Terlingua.And it really makes a difference, also we use one jalapeno , seeded and veined.

One bottle of a good dark beer. Name brand not cheap stuff.( he wouldnt tell me what brand he used) so we use Hieneken or Gosser.

and if you buy a Hershey chocolate bar there are like 12 squares on it..just pop off one square and toss in.It's just the bar that you get from candy Isle..Not great big cooking square from baking Isle.

Chopped green pepper [sautee with chopped onions]

Garlic cloves chopped up & sauteed with onions & peppers

Cumin [most important spice for chili besides the chili powder]

Adobo seasoning [the authentic Mexican all-purpose spice]

Can of diced green chilis [Ortega makes a good one]

My technique involves cooking/sauteeing all the veggies and spices together, then frying out the meat separately and then combining meat and veggie mixtures and simmering a while before adding the beans...if you're cooking the beans from scratch yourself [rather than cheating like me and opening up cans!] then you'll need to cook the beans separately too. This is an All Day Event if done the old-fashioned way, but worth it - and always make a humongous batch and take the rest of the week off!

p.s. Don't forget the cumin - that's the authentic tang in good chili!

ohhhh, you got me going now! Chili, yum.

I'm all about fresh good ingredients.

fresh onion, yes. forget the onion and garlic powder. use fresh garlic.

never mind the dry red pepper (i think you mean red pepper flakes) and use fresh jalapenos or other peppers.

That being said, some dried ingredients are useful. As the first post said.... add cumin. you won't regret it. and coriander! it adds that tangy south of the border twist. chili powder is good also. its not tooooo spicy so you can be fairly heavy handed with it. it adds a hearty smoky flavor. speaking of smoky, why not add a teaspoon or so of liquid smoke? kick it up a notch! (as Emeril would say).

Just saute the fresh ingredients in a little oil, add beef or venison, then tomatoes, juice and herbs/spices (don't forget salt and pepper). simmer over medium low heat for an hour or two. If it needs more liquid use beef stock. Add cooked or canned beans and heat through.

YUMMMM....

(chef/30 years)

I've used V8 as well. I was out of plain tomato juice so I had to improvise. I also now use it when I make homemade vegetable soup. I also add chili sauce. Most people put that on fries or something of that nature. But I find it adds a nice kick if you're not much on hot stuff. I also add sauteed onions and thin spaghetti.

I sautee onions and garlic other ingredients hot italian sausage, hamburger, but not much, tomatoes, fresh or canned diced with seasonings kidney beans, rinsed black beans, some chopped hot peppers, cumin, chili powder. Some folks like a small can of drained corn in theirs, but really? the cut up hot italian sausage and black beans make it sing! L

Here is my secret ingredient. For every 2 pounds of hamburger I add a can of french onion soup. The key is to drain the hamburger when it is 3/4 cooked, then add the soup to cook with the hamburger. Also, cumin - key ingredient in chile and mexican cooking. I use 2 parts chile powder to 1 part cumin. I also add a few dashes of hot sauce. I might consider omitting the celery powder......especially if you start using cumin. I add fresh cracked pepper as well as sugar....sugar cuts the acidity in the tomatoes, less tummy problems:-)

oh yum...

half an onion (i think...)

a pound of ground beef

beef stew meat cut into tiny cubes

a brick of chili (thats what gives the chili it's essence)

chili powder

three cans of light & dark kidney beans (no draining)

two cans of diced tomato (no draining)

and finally, the secret ingredient and yes it's a little odd but so great is: two cans of white corn (drained)

your welcome.

Your gonna love mine. I put Brown sugar and wildfire sauce in mine. Also black beans and some hot spicy beans and canned tomatos. I use turkey burger instead of hamburger. Don't forget the cheese on top, with Ritz crackers or buttered bread to dip....

Well I just add cheese and sometimes onions and crackers sometimes I think (not everything that's in the chili).

Here is a great Chili Recipe: http://www.eat-well-save-money-recipes.com/nancys-...

Anne