A classic, comforting dish known in North America as "chili", a spicy tomato-based stew prepared with either beef mince or chunks along with red kidney beans. Served topped with shredded cheese and sour cream as an accompaniment for cooling.
After we migrated to Canada, I worked for TD Bank at Downtown Toronto. The bank had a cafeteria located in the concourse, the largest underground shopping complex in the world according to the Guinness World Records. It was in this cafeteria that I tasted chili for the first time and with the very first morsel, I loved the dish. Served over a bed of spaghetti alongside crispy potato fries. It was spicy and tangy, just the way I like my food. During lunch time, I often frequented the cafeteria to enjoy the spicy delicious chili and mastered how to prepare it at home by adding my Goan spicy twist. Now, enjoyed by the family, a favourite!!!
Chili served over a hot dog is known as chili dog and topped over a burger called chili burger. In North America, they have chili cook-offs where competitors prepare their own recipe for chili con carne, tasted by a panel of judges. Part of the funds raised at the event are donated to charity while the winners are awarded with ribbons or trophies. A vegetarian chili prepared with a mixture of vegetables is known as chili non carne or chili sin carne (chili without meat). Chili made with white beans, chicken breast or turkey is prepared without tomatoes, white in appearance and known as white chili. Whichever variation you prefer, a bowl of chili is definitely hearty and satisfying.
After we migrated to Canada, I worked for TD Bank at Downtown Toronto. The bank had a cafeteria located in the concourse, the largest underground shopping complex in the world according to the Guinness World Records. It was in this cafeteria that I tasted chili for the first time and with the very first morsel, I loved the dish. Served over a bed of spaghetti alongside crispy potato fries. It was spicy and tangy, just the way I like my food. During lunch time, I often frequented the cafeteria to enjoy the spicy delicious chili and mastered how to prepare it at home by adding my Goan spicy twist. Now, enjoyed by the family, a favourite!!!
Chili served over a hot dog is known as chili dog and topped over a burger called chili burger. In North America, they have chili cook-offs where competitors prepare their own recipe for chili con carne, tasted by a panel of judges. Part of the funds raised at the event are donated to charity while the winners are awarded with ribbons or trophies. A vegetarian chili prepared with a mixture of vegetables is known as chili non carne or chili sin carne (chili without meat). Chili made with white beans, chicken breast or turkey is prepared without tomatoes, white in appearance and known as white chili. Whichever variation you prefer, a bowl of chili is definitely hearty and satisfying.
Chili Con Carne (Chili With Meat)
(Serves 6)
Ingredients:
1/2 kg beef mince
1 cup dried red kidney beans
2 onions (chopped)
4 cloves of garlic (chopped)
1 jalapeno or 2 spicy green chillies
1 teaspoon chilli powder
1 teaspoon pepper powder
1 teaspoon cumin powder
1 teaspoon cinnamon powder
1/2 teaspoon clove powder
2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
3 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
1/2 a bouillon cube
1 (28 ounces or 796 ml) can of diced tomatoes (pureed)
2 tablespoon tomato paste
1 medium green bell pepper (capsicum)
a pinch of sugar
2 tablespoons oil
1 cup shredded cheese for garnishing
salt
Method:
Soak red kidney beans overnight. Next day, pressure cook with salt and water for 6 whistles or till tender. Drain off the water and keep cooked beans aside.
On medium flame, heat a skillet and brown the mince (without oil). Discard the excess fat and keep the mince aside. (If using lean mince, brown with little oil.)
Heat oil in a pan and sauté onions till brown. Stir in garlic and when fragrant, add green chillies along with all the spice powders. Fry for few seconds and then mix in the tomato paste followed by the mince, tomato sauce, red kidney beans, chopped green bell pepper, bouillon cube, vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, sugar and salt.
Simmer on medium heat till flavours blend together and chili thickens. (Adjust spice and sour according to your taste.)
Serve chili garnished with shredded cheese over a bed of cooked spaghetti or rice.
(Serves 6)
Ingredients:
1/2 kg beef mince
1 cup dried red kidney beans
2 onions (chopped)
4 cloves of garlic (chopped)
1 jalapeno or 2 spicy green chillies
1 teaspoon chilli powder
1 teaspoon pepper powder
1 teaspoon cumin powder
1 teaspoon cinnamon powder
1/2 teaspoon clove powder
2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
3 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
1/2 a bouillon cube
1 (28 ounces or 796 ml) can of diced tomatoes (pureed)
2 tablespoon tomato paste
1 medium green bell pepper (capsicum)
a pinch of sugar
2 tablespoons oil
1 cup shredded cheese for garnishing
salt
Method:
Soak red kidney beans overnight. Next day, pressure cook with salt and water for 6 whistles or till tender. Drain off the water and keep cooked beans aside.
On medium flame, heat a skillet and brown the mince (without oil). Discard the excess fat and keep the mince aside. (If using lean mince, brown with little oil.)
Heat oil in a pan and sauté onions till brown. Stir in garlic and when fragrant, add green chillies along with all the spice powders. Fry for few seconds and then mix in the tomato paste followed by the mince, tomato sauce, red kidney beans, chopped green bell pepper, bouillon cube, vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, sugar and salt.
Simmer on medium heat till flavours blend together and chili thickens. (Adjust spice and sour according to your taste.)
Serve chili garnished with shredded cheese over a bed of cooked spaghetti or rice.