Recipe for Awesome Chili (as mentioned in preceeding post)

Serves 4 with modest appetite - double up for gannets like me!

500g of good quality mince (or acceptable vegetarian substitute)

1 onion (chopped)

1 tin of chopped tomatoes

1 tin of red kidney beans

200g of tomato puree

1 chili mix (Sharwoods is my favourite)

Big bag of tortilla chips

Decent cheese (I go for Cheddar at the "old socks" end of the spectrum)

Brown the mince and onions together in a large pan. Throw in the tomatoes, puree, beans and chili mix. You might throw in a splash of red wine here too if there's some lying around. Simmer for 30 mins. Transfer to an oven dish. Empty the packet of tortillas on the top and grate cheese over the top. Put in a hot oven for 15 mins or under the grill for5 mins. Serve garlic bread, fresh salad, guacamole and some salsa. Red wine goes well with it. Beaking bread together beforehand provides the perfect setting and a slightly used bottle of red wine that needs finishing!

Gourmet Jem

Comments

[Mark Berry]

.... just what is an 'Acceptable' vegetarian equivalent for mince in Chilli??? Does not compute... to a carnivore such as me... kinda like non-alcoholic beer!?

[Kelly]

In Texas, where if I'm not mistaken chili was invented, they never use beans. And it's quite good actually.

[jem]

Thanks Kelly. However, it's nice to think that we Brits can take something American and improve it! Maybe the beans are the difference between "quite good" and "awesome"!! ;-)

[blind beggar]

Chili does not have beans. When you add beans it becomes Chili Con Carne, but most of us in the States just call it Chili with beans. Pinto is the bean of choice (a small red bean). The Chili mix is the key. I like those with a some “heat.”

[Mark Berry]

BB... I guess you are right, but here in the UK the 'con carne' variety has become the norm so much so that it is so rare to find Chili without Red Kidney Beans that it has become unnescessary to use the longer name!