The Meatball Memoirs: Chili Episode

It was the week of the Superbowl, so what better to make than chili! Ok, maybe nachos or wings or something like that but you get my drift.

Step 1. Find a chili recipe.

So, we know what we are making but what recipe to use? In saying "I'm making chili", you would think that would explain it. But no. I think my only requirement for chili is that it uses chili powder. Everything else is left to interpretation. There's basic red chili, white chili, vegetarian chili, Cincinnati style and more. Then there are the questions of what vegetables to add, whether to add beans, what kind of beans, what kind of meat and more. I decided that my favorite way to do chili is to start with a basic ground beef, tomato base recipe and let what's in the fridge decide how fancy or plain it will be.

I searched and found a good basic recipe (<- This is a link. Click to find a good basic recipe) to use as a base. As I said before, veggies can be added (butternut squash, rutabagas, ...), meats can be changed (beef, chicken, tofu even - that's right, I said it), beans can be changed or omitted altogether. I tend to find that I like green pepper and onion, ground beef, tomato based chili with some kidney beans (but not too many). I always add either some beer or whine... ahem, I mean wine to my chili. I never cook the same recipe twice. My variations depend on what's on hand that day. Could be chipotles. Could be sun dried tomatoes.

Step 2. Find a safe place for your 6 month old daughter to watch you cook. Here's the setup with Carly in the bassinette in the kitchen. Works out awesome! (Insert cheap bragging opportunity here).

Step 3. Gather ingredients and prep. I'm the kind of gal that likes to have everything out and ready to go when I start cooking. Here are the ingredients for the basic recipe and a shot of the extras I'm adding this time: about 1/2 cup of leftover wine and some leftover homemade barbecue sauce.

Step 4. Sautee veggies until start to soften. Stir in spices and let warm to toast. MMMMM - I could eat some just like this.

What do you think Carly? Carly. Hmmmm. She seems to have lost interest.

Step 5. Add remaining wet ingredients - tomatoes, can of beans (or home cooked with liquid), beer or wine. I like to add enough liquid to require reducing. Let simmer until it has reduced to the right consistency. I prefer thicker chili but have never had to add thickener. If necessary, you can mix a little flour and butter to form a paste and stir in small amounts at a time to thicken. While I did mine on the stovetop, it can all be done using a crock pot.

Step 6. Plate and serve with your favorite accouterments. Cheese, chopped onions, parsley, sour cream.... the list is endless.

Step 7. Gather the family or invite some friends over to share. Food always tastes better with company. It's easy and tasty - ENJOY!

Stay tuned for our next Episode: Kimchee