Speculation abounds regarding when and where the first batch of chili was cooked up, with a leading theory being it was first prepared by a nun in the 1600s in what is now San Antonio, Texas. Regardless of the authenticity of these theories, one thing is certain: Chili is an American tradition, a hearty dish that has captured the love of people all across our great nation and inspired hundreds of annual cook-offs, like that which took place at Harley Davidson of Palm Beach yesterday. In honor of the 23rd annual chili cook-off, let’s take a look at a few fantastic recipes.
Chunky Beef Chili Recipe
For many meat-eating Americans, the classic chili consists of pinto beans, tomatoes, cheddar cheese, some spices, and plenty of beef chunks. As far as the specifics are concerned, there is plenty of room for tweaking according to taste and occasion. This Woman’s Day chili recipe includes peanut butter, green chiles, cinnamon, and cilantro.
Turkey White Bean Chili Recipe
Chili enthusiasts who prefer white meat often use turkey instead of beef. This highly-rated recipe from AllRecipes.com mixes ground turkey with white cannellini beans and chicken broth. In sticking with the theme of white, Monterey Jack is used in lieu of cheddar and white pepper instead of black. Ready in just 45 minutes, a turkey white bean chili recipe similar to this one should please even the pickiest eater.
Three-Bean Vegetarian Chili Recipe
It used to be difficult for vegetarians to find chili they could eat unless they cooked it themselves. Today, as many as half of the most popular recipes being used at first-rate restaurants and festivals are vegetarian. Some are even vegan, like Rachael Ray’s Veg-Head Three Bean Chili recipe. This Tex-Mex spin is chili at its finest, blending black beans, dark red kidney beans, and vegetarian refried beans with vegetable stock, vegetables, and spices that generates a mind blowing experience for vegetarians and non-vegetarians alike.
Green Chile Chili Recipe
Unless you have visited or lived in New Mexico, you may not know it has its own distinct cuisine. If you are familiar with the hatch chile pepper, you’re already acquainted with the staple of New Mexican cuisine. If you have the resources and the time, bake some corn bread to serve with this wonderful green chile chili recipe, straight from Tomasita’s in Santa Fe.
Chocolate Chipotle Chili Recipe
We saved this one for last, but it is not quite as dessert-like as it might sound. The chocolate this recipe calls for is unsweetened. When fused with smoked chipotle chilis the chocolate creates a flavor that is reminiscent of mole. Dozens of chocolate chipotle chili recipes can be found online, one of them calling for applewood smoked and semisweet dark chocolate, but a popular variant that vegetarians and vegans can be well is an oil-free adaptation from Robin Robertson’s Quick-Fix Vegan cookbook that can be found at HappyHealthyLongLife.com
You might have missed the 23rd annual Harley Davidson of Palm Beach chili cook-off, but hundreds are held across America annually, and you can search for events near your Ft. Lauderdale or West Palm Beach upscale apartments at sites such as InternationalChiliSociety.com. In the meantime, keep your chili cravings under control by putting the recipes featured above (and the hundreds of other good recipes available online) to use in your luxury apartment kitchen.
There are dozens of great chili recipes, but the best is something that can only be decided on an individual basis…even if a panel of judges says otherwise. What is your favorite chili recipe and where did you first encounter it?
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View All Posts by Jason Ernst