Chilly vs. Chili - Cooking for Winter Comfort

By Joe Strini

When Winter strikes in all it's icy glory and the temperature outside is frigid and Springtime seems like it will never arrive what is there that can bring a little cheer and warmth. The comfort of a good home cooked meal with your family and friends comes to mind. Good Company and Comfort Food. What are the best Comfort Foods to warm up your Winter. A Bowl of Home-Made soup like Minestrone or a plate of Home-Made Stew or - the King of all Comfort Foods - A big helping of your favorite Chili. After all, who ever heard of a Stew Cook-off.

A great bowl of Home-Made Chili makes a great meal any time, but in the dead of Winter it is the perfect food, a hearty, warm, stick-to-your-ribs great meal.

Chili is easily the most personal of all foods. There is so many ways to make it and almost nothing is off limits. You can use the traditional beef but it is equally perfect with turkey, lamb, chicken or pork. The meat can be ground or cubed or you can make it with no meat at all. You can make it with or without beans. It can be mild or so hot as to make you sweat, depending on your tastes and preferences and for whom you may be cooking.

There is almost nothing that can not be used in a pot of chili. I have either made or been served chili with everything in it from beer to raisins to mangoes. I have had sweet chili and hot chili, chili served over rice or spaghetti or with the traditional oyster crackers and served over hamburgers or hot dogs..if you have never had a chili-dog or chili-burger you have missed a couple of lifes simple pleasures. Sharp cheddar cheese is always a plus. Chili can also be made in quantities to meet any need, from a family of four to enough to feed an army of guests. All you need is the right Stock Pot and cooking supplies to make it happen.

The point of all of this is simple. I am not trying to teach you how to make Chili. I am trying to get you to have some fun and make chili your own. Find a couple of good chili recipes to try like ones you will find at CHILI COOKS.com and once you know some things that you will always want in any Chili, basics like chili powder, cumin, beans, no beans, what ever variety of peppers, meat, no meat. start experimenting. This time add raisins and a little cinnamon to sweeten it. Next time add a little cayenne or jalapenos or habaneros to spice it up. Make your chili your own.

Quality Cookware makes Better Home Cooking

I make Chili several times every Winter and I have no written recipe although I do occasionally try out an intriguing recipe I have either found or been given. My Chili is never exactly the same twice and It is always the right Chili at the right time and it is always a warm comfortable experience, at least that is what my friends and family tell me.

You can find a link to ChiliCooks.com on my Links Page at Cookware for Home Cooking.

 

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