| If you like chili, you know that recipes (and tastes) can | | | | after the liquid ingredients are added, and then add |
| be very different. There is also a pesky little debate | | | | spices, it will only flavor the broth, not the meat. So |
| among chili lovers about what "real" chili is and what it | | | | season the meat directly while it is browning. If, for |
| is not. Beans or no beans, tomatoes or no tomatoes, | | | | some reason you don't use meat, this will apply to |
| chili powder or fresh chilies... there seems to always be | | | | whatever the base ingredient is. The important thing to |
| something to argue about. | | | | remember is this, flavor that base ingredient the way |
| Let's not continue to beat this dead horse, OK? At the | | | | you want it first. Then add the larger volumes of liquid, |
| risk of offending someone, let's move on and just | | | | such as water, broth, tomato sauce, etc. This probably |
| agree to disagree. What people like to eat, or what | | | | means that you will need to season the liquid as well, |
| they call it, is out of our control, anyway. It just seems | | | | after it is added. But that's OK. You will be layering the |
| trivial, to me, to let something like that get to you. Some | | | | flavors... which is a good thing. Taste along the way |
| people may even call it stew or soup. Just get yourself | | | | while cooking. Don't think that you have to follow a |
| another drink and enjoy your chili. | | | | recipe to the letter, either. That's why tasting is |
| You know what "real" chili is. Who cares what | | | | important, especially with a new recipe you've never |
| everybody else thinks, right? So, let's talk about how to | | | | tried before. Wherever that new recipe came from, it |
| make your chili recipe even better. | | | | may have been created by someone with completely |
| It doesn't really matter what ingredients are in your chili | | | | different tastes than yours. If you are in doubt, add |
| recipe. Whether you make it totally from scratch or | | | | slightly less of an ingredient than the recipe calls for. |
| use a season packet, these techniques should make a | | | | Taste it. Then you can judge whether to add more or |
| noticeable improvement in the taste. | | | | not. |
| - Cook with Cast Iron This may just be a matter of | | | | - Choose Wisely the Condiments for Use at the Table |
| opinion, but I do think it makes a big difference. Cast | | | | Common extras that get added to chili at the last |
| iron skillets and pots just seem to add a unique flavor | | | | minute include crackers, cheese, onion, ketchup, |
| to foods. It may be because of years of use and the | | | | jalepeno, and pickle juice (yes, pickle juice). Well, pickle |
| way they are seasoned over time. A brand new skillet, | | | | juice may not be that common. I just threw that in |
| though, would probably need to be broken in for a | | | | because I like it. These last minute items really |
| while to produce a noticeable difference. But, I have | | | | compliment your chili and enhance the flavors. By |
| always used old, well seasoned skillets. I think they | | | | adding something like diced onion, you add a distinct |
| make anything taste better. | | | | and separate flavor, color, aroma, and texture to an |
| - Cook Dry Seasonings Into the Meat Take advantage | | | | already good dish (making it better). This could not |
| of the heat and let it infuse the flavor. Many recipes will | | | | have been done by adding it earlier. Different |
| tell you to saute garlic or onion in some oil before | | | | combinations can really perk up your chili. This is |
| adding meat. That helps flavor the meat. By adding | | | | something that you can have some fun with, too. Think |
| ingredients like salt, pepper, chili powder, and other dry | | | | of some things that might be good with chili and try |
| spices at this point too, it will also flavor the meat. Small | | | | them. Introduce new things (like pickle juice) to your |
| amounts of liquid, such as Worcestershire sauce, | | | | friends and family as you find them. They will |
| should be added at this time as well. If you wait until | | | | appreciate it. |