Blue Gartr Meal Time: Bacon optional? Bacon required.

[Elizara]

Revival but I thought I'd mention what we're having for dinner tonight. One thing sis never did was The Cookie Sheet Pizza (tm). Finally found the recipe for pizza dough from The Frugal Gourmet and have been trying to bring back this comfort food that Dad made us when we were growing up. (I'm sure Dad used a diff recipe but hey, it's still deep dish pizza!) I don't do it oftener than once a month b/c it's a big honkin' mess, really but I think the boys appreciate it when I do it.

It's cooking for the final time right now (we prebake our crusts so they don't get soggy) and I'll get a few pics when it gets evicted from the oven. It's got tomatoes, yellow bell peppers (I'm sure my middle brother will pick them off his piece! He does NOT like bell peppers, but that's why I started putting roma tomatoes on it; so he'd get some veggies), onions, Canadian bacon, pepperoni, mushrooms, and Italian-spiced hamburger on it. (Don't recall if Dad spiced the hamburger but it tastes really sad with no spices!) Just a lot of toppings! One piece is enough for anyone with this one.

[Elizara]

Okay here we go!



I still betcha The Troll'll pick those peppers right off.

[Elizara]

So okay BG, thought I'd ask a food related question so yeah, I think this is the place to do it. I'm working on some chili right now for a chili cookoff at the end of the week. Don't laugh; b/c I'm using stew meat from Sam's going to be cooking it in the crock pot on LOW after today until the day of the competition. Was just putting in some hot peppers including a jalapano and a scotch bonnet, as well as some milder Mexican dried peppers. (No seeds btw, I de-seeded them to try to turn the heat down) I put in some oregano and some fresh ground black pepper, a liiittle bit of cocoa powder, as well as some fresh garlic I sauteed with some of the peppers. I'm sure we got some chiliheads; mind I don't want to make it TOO spicy but any ideas for other spices to add, guys? I was thinking smoked paprika at least, and salt after I add beans near the end of teh week.

Promise I'll get a pic of the pot when it's done and also of any trophy. ^^

[Kaslo]

If sticking to powdered spices I think cheyenne powder is always the best way to add heat, just add slowly until you get the heat you want. If you want to go a more liquid route, I would look into stuff like Harrissa or just siracha (lol).

[Elizara]

Gotcha, Kaslo. I think it's proly hot enough with that scotch bonnet (lol; if you've never messed with one, that sucker is hot.). Mostly looking to add pure flavor to my little pot of chili right now.

[Bardicrune]

#1 spice for chili has to be cumin. Adds a very earthy flavor to the meal.

[Elizara]

Thanks Bardi. I'll add a bit then, as I hinted, I don't want just OW!GETMESOMEMILK!, I want flavor. That is also why I'm considering smoked paprika.

[Kaslo]

Gotcha, Kaslo. I think it's proly hot enough with that scotch bonnet (lol; if you've never messed with one, that sucker is hot.). Mostly looking to add pure flavor to my little pot of chili right now.

Ahhh your post made me think you were looking for heat. Sorry!

[Elizara]

It's okay Kas. Easy to mess up there if you didn't see how many peppers I added already, and I don't want to kill the judges!

[Bardicrune]

Here's my current 6-8hr recipe (inherited and modified from my father's):

Ingredients:
1-1.5lb ground beef (chili ground if you can find it [coarser grind])
1 medium to large onion - chopped
Jalapeno peppers to suite your taste (1-3 peppers)
2-3 cloves of garlic - minced
1lb dried pinto beans
1 - 16oz. can dark red kidney beans
.3-.5 oz cumin (depends on the freshness of the cumin. Start low and you can add more as the cooking continues)
1oz chili powder (shortcut instead of dealing with making your own with ancho chile's, paprika, onion powder, cayenne, cumin)
1 - 28oz can whole peeled tomatoes
32oz beef stock

Prep:
On the night before (at least 12 hours), soak the pinto beans in water (cover with 2 inches of water). Cover and leave on counter overnight.
The next day; chop the onion into nickel sized pieces. Crush then mince your garlic. Chop the jalapeno peppers into small pieces. Drain and rinse the pinto beans (check for stones).

Cooking:
Brown the ground beef and then add the onion and let it sweat and start to turn translucent.
Drain the fat and add the garlic, chili powder and cumin.
Add 2/3 - 3/4 of the jalapeno and cover and refrigerate the rest.
Add the canned tomatoes. When adding them, pour the whole thing including the liquid into the pot. Use your spoon to slightly break up the tomatoes. Don't go too far, you want decent chunks in the final chili.
Add the 32oz of beef stock
Add the pinto beans to the pot.
Add enough water to cover everything with 2-3 inches of liquid.

Simmer on low for 6-8 hours. Salt to taste (check first, the stock you added should be fairly salty already) and stir every hour or so. When stirring, check the flavor and add more cumin until the flavor is right for you.

2 hours prior to finishing, drain and rinse the kidney beans then add them into the pot. 1 hour prior to finishing, add the remaining jalapeno peppers (reserving any you want to add raw as a garnish).

This chili is more of a soup style than a stew style. We really enjoy the flavor of the broth. Serve in a large bowl with shredded cheese on top and any chopped onion and jalapeno you reserved.
This is a BIG recipe. It will make enough for 10-12 servings.

[Kirin]

This recipe sounds familiar...

Spoiler: show

[kuronosan]

If you're not spicing it up you aren't making chili.

[Elizara]

Lol Kuro. I am.

Anyway looks like a pepper got away; I'll deseed it and sautee it and add it to the chili in the morning. Will be ordering the smoked paprika on Wednesday. ^^

[kuronosan]

Also, when you ground the beef and saute it, add about a 1/3rd cup of dark ale to the pan and let it cook out. Do this after you season but before you add to the rest of the chili pot.

[Delayed]

Chili does not have beans.

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[Bardicrune]

Chili does not have beans.

Mine does. It is delicious. Eat your veggies.

[Elizara]

Yeah. Don't be like The Troll that I have to hide veggies on the pizza so he'll eat'em. Eat your veggies.

Speaking of which I did some nice baked chicken last night and..he wouldn't eat it ><! I already cut the chicken quarters I use in half to make them easier to eat; any ideas guys for chicken to hopefully get him to eat it?

[Bardicrune]

A glaze or dipping sauce works for most children (and child-like adults). Honey mustard or sweet teriyaki tends to suit their palate and are fairly easy to make.

[kuronosan]

Chili does not have beans.

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Real chili always has beans.

[Bardicrune]

Man.... Two homonym fails in a single sentence. My mind must be going in my advancing years.