On Monday, I talked about how to create crispy wings at home (click here for that article).  Today, I’ll address another Super Sunday favorite – chili.

I know, I know – there are as many chili recipes out there as there are football fans (and that’s a good thing).  It can be made with turkey instead of beef, mild or with a hot kick, and with beans or without.  The main thing is to eat what you like.  That being said, here is my recipe for a fantastic game day chili that I think has just the right flavor balance of meat, tomato, and beans.  It’s also quite easy – just “dump” and heat.

 

CHAMPIONSHIP CHILI

(serves 8-10)

• 1 LB ground beef or turkey
• 1 medium onion (chopped)
• 1 “giant size” (1/2 gallon) red kidney beans (or two medium cans)
• 2 medium cans crushed tomatoes
• 1 small can (6 oz) tomato paste
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Chili powder (as directed)
• 1 tsp sugar
• 1 dash oregano
• Hot sauce (per your heat preference – can be left out as well)

Brown meat and onions in a skillet, pouring off any excess grease.  In a large pot, add beans, tomatoes, tomato paste, and spices.  Add in meat and onions and cook over low heat for 45 minutes (or until heated through).

 

This is one of those recipes that gets better every time you warm it up, as the flavors continue to mix and meld.

 

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AUTHOR’S NOTE: Let me also sound the alarm concerning the “after-effects” that this recipe will empower.  The combination of beans, hot sauce, game-day beers, and the intestinal tract of most middle-aged men will combine to form a potent – if not deadly – “back draft”, so unless you (or your spouse) are throwing down a preemptive strike of “Beano”, rest assured that “the day after” will be both melodious and malodorous.

Take my advice and don’t schedule any client meetings at work or find yourself trapped in any enclosed spaces for too long.  Seriously, you can knock a buzzard off of a gut wagon with this stuff.  You may even annoy your spouse/significant other by accidentally dropping a “turtle burp” in your sleep – causing the dreaded “dutch oven” effect in bed in the early morning hours.  Good luck with that.  You have been warned.