Homemade Chili Topped with Tortilla Strips
The best homemade chili takes thoughtful preparation and patience. There are dozens of options for spices, herbs, and seasonings. There are even more options for meats, beans, and vegetables.
Ingredients
First, you want to decide if you want to cook a vegetarian chili or a meat chili. Both can be loaded with flavor if done correctly.
For vegetarian chili try mixing different beans for protein options. Don't be afraid to mix red beans, black beans, and even lentil beans in the same pot. For meat chili you can try ground beef, pork sausage, or chopped veal. A healthier option would be ground chicken or turkey. Also, don't hesitate to add beans to a meaty chili.
Next, decide on vegetables. Vegetarian chili is delicious with diced red onion, yellow squash, and leafy greens such as spinach. Beef chili goes perfectly with diced yellow onion and tomatoes. Try adding celery or even collard greens to turkey chili for a non-traditional, but satisfying approach. Do not forget the garlic. Chopped garlic goes a long way in both options.
The best chili is not quite a soup, but not quite a stir fry either. You want enough liquid to coat all the ingredients, but not drown them. For vegetarian chili try simmering everything in a vegetable broth. If you're cooking a red meat chili go for beef broth and for a white meat chili grab the chicken broth. Tomato sauce can also be added to vegetarian and meat options. Balance out flavors by adding a splash of white wine or apple cider vinegar for some acidity.
Don't forget to sprinkle in and seasonings. Cumin is most common in chili because it adds a deep, smokey flavor. If you're making a heavy, tomato-based chili go for dried oregano.
Finally, you obviously need some spice in your chili. Try chopping a couple of serrano or jalepeño peppers and adding them when you're cooking your meat. Open a can of chipotle peppers and stir them in. Cut the stem of a couple of dried guajillo peppers and let them simmer in chili for a deeper, more robust spice. Buy some chili powder and stir it in.
Cooking
You'll want to cook your chili in stages. First, cook your meat in some olive oil. Next, add your raw vegetables. After a few minutes you can add your canned ingredients like beans and tomatoes. Remember to sprinkle salt in after adding major ingredients so it brings out the flavor in each. Mix in some herbs and seasonings once your solid ingredients are done cooking. Now you'll want to add your liquids like a can of tomato sauce with several cups of vegetable or meat broth.
After everything is in the same pot turn the heat down and let simmer for about an hour.
Toppings
Chop some green onions and cilantro for a fresh topping. Grate cheddar cheese and sprinkle on top along with a dollop of sour cream. If the chili is still not spicy enough for you drizzle hot sauce on top. Add some crunch with fried tortilla strips.
Tags: meat chili, herbs seasonings, vegetarian chili, cook your, , some herbs