Chilly Chilly..... Chili

It's getting closer to that time of year.

What time of year, I hear you ask?

CHILI TIME!!

Last winter I took part in a chili cook-off and came in last. True, there were only 4 or 5 entries, but still, last is LAST. And I know why; I used tinned tomatoes and tinned tomato juice. Very processed tasting, very salty and very acidic. In contrast, the winner of last years cook-off, had a more subtle flavour and a variety of textures.

On a side note: Kyle, the cook-off host, made some of 'the worlds hottest chili' which was so hot it literally blistered my face. I sweated and the sweat left welts!!!!

This year, I am going to experiment from scratch!

So we all know that there are some staples found in chili; beef, tomato, beans etc, but I intend to put together a concoction that will take all that stuff and make it better.

Luckily we have a small crock pot (a slow cooker for my european readers) that we have used in the past to make queso dip. I'll be able to use that to try out combining flavours over a low heat for long hours without making gallons of the stuff and forcing myself to eat it for 2 weeks straight.

We had a lovely cold snap over the weekend, visions of lighting the fire, warming some apple cider and eating bowls of chili sprung to mind. Yet today was back to around 90F (32 degrees Celsius) and so it kind of thwarted my drive to stop by the shop on my way home and buy my first set of ingredients. The rest of the week looks pretty much the same, hot and muggy with thunderstorms, so I'm going to use the time to 'think' about possible ingredients.

So I ask you, my readers, do you have any suggestions for interesting chili ingredients? If I use any of your suggestions I shall make sure to call attention to it when I use it!!!!

Ooooh, here's an additional great idea: Send me YOUR recipe for chili!! I shall cook and blog about the first 5 recipes and my favourite will WIN 2 bottles of Famous Daves BBQ Sauce

Your recipes can be any kind of variety of chili; vegetarian, chicken, bean free.... whatever!!! Just get the recipes to me (njbarcomb@gmail.com) by October 4th for a chance to win some yummy bbq sauce, perfect for this time of year to jazz up your meats!

Also, you don't have to be a follower of this blog to enter, the more the merrier, but remember, only the first 5 will be cooked and blogged :)

I won't use YOUR recipes in any cook-off this year, it'll just be something fun to try, blog about and give a prize :)