What to cook.. what to cook.. ah, yesssss Chili con carne !! Obviously, it's not a German dish and therefor, I used to rely on a little seasoning package to make it just right (at least for the German palette.. okay, MY palette). Whenever I go home, I buy those to bring back with me to my "American Kitchen", or my sister brings me a bunch when she comes for a visit. My dilemma now.. my family has the odacity to ask for it, knowing quite well that I don't have the seasoning. "Well, look it up on the Internet", he says. "Nooo, American's put all kinds of stuff in there like corn and tomato pieces and white beans and... oh it's just not right!!!" But because I'm game and I want to make my family happy, I sit and look for a recipe. A true Chili con carne recipe... And I find tons, thanks to google... I am sorry, but either the dish doesn't look right or the ingredients don't sound too appealing to me. But, one positive thing, I now know that it is unclear of the dish's origins and therefor, it's still a debate amongst some American States and Mexico as well as the thought that it actually may have been an Aztec-dish. I also learned that chocolate is used in some recipes (perhaps, that's where the Aztecs come to mind) and often, Mexicans use, what they call "Mole" (a spicy chocolate sauce) (Mole.. it just does not sound right)... If there is no (known and proven) origin and there is no set recipe for this dish, a question remains...
How the heck does a German gal make a dish that is soooooo controversial? Tell me, how do you make your chili con carne??? ( I know, you are all surprised that I can be domestic ;-) )
Girl you are really asking for it this time.
ReplyDeleteOfficially: Chili con carne (literally "Chili with meat", often known simply as chili) is a spicy stew. The name "chili con carne" is taken from Spanish, and means "peppers with meat." Traditional versions are made, minimally, from chili peppers, meat, garlic, onions, and cumin, along with chopped or ground beef. Beans and tomatoes are frequently included. Variations, both geographic and personal, may involve different types of meat as well as a variety of other ingredients. It can be found worldwide in local variations and also in certain American-style fast food restaurants. The variant recipes provoke disputes among aficionados, and the dish is used as an ingredient in a number of other foods.
Literally: To each his own and your own likes and dislikes. Have you ever been to a chili cook off, OMG, your senses will go nuts!
What ever recipe you like and adapt to your family menu I would recommend one final touch. After it is done and ready to eat, mix up a traditional cornbread batter, poor it on top and bake till the cornbread is done.
One last thing, what time is dinner?
omg *smiles*
ReplyDeletejust make a bowl of goulash and add a few chilies and that should make them happy…
it would me….
Well My Darling Liane Baby I don't like minced beef so I personally use Minced Lamb and throw in as many finely diced vegetables I can get my hands on to make it just that much healthier(carrots, peppers, muchrooms, sweet corn, spinach leaves, celery, onions and tomatoes) and also I use LOADS of garlic, pepper, paprika, cumin and corriander...
ReplyDeleteBut you know each to their own - that's what makes the world such a great place!
XOXO as always,
Wifey
Oh and I forgot to add I am in the UK so if you give me the german seasoning brand I might be able to get some and post it out to you if you like?
ReplyDeleteHit me up on my email and give me the details if you want me to try and find some for you...
XOXO as always,
Wifey
knoll?
ReplyDeleteI love to cook.
ReplyDeleteMy father and 4 of my uncles are retired cooks and chefs.
Every time i asked them home much or what do I put in they tell me what every tastes good to you.
So I have a million different ways of making chili and every time it tastes good to me.
Screw what everyone else thinks, it's perfect every time.
Besides if you put in enough hot peppers their mouths will be to numb to tell how it tastes
I think that somewhere back in the time, the word chili was derived from the word "experiment." Put in a little bit of this, that and the other thing... I have heard of chili made with chicken, venison (deer), pork (you know - everything but the oink...) and every kind of garnish and taste enhancer under the sun. My sister's husband (who is Dutch, so that is no help at all) says chili is no good unless you sweat when you eat it... I would recommend finding a church cookbook, I am deadly serious - because those are tried and true recipes, have been around for years, and are offered by veteran cooks... Other than that, good luck!
ReplyDeleteOMG.. you people are no help at all !! LOL..
ReplyDeleteCurt .. corn bread?? See, I am sooo picky.. i don't eat corn bread :-(
Reaper.. LOL.. actually, if Lewis could have it his way, we could eat Goulash every single day..lol another dish that has tons of recipes, eh? Kinda like "German Potato Salad"... we have 100000+ recipes in Germany for that darn salad and every time i meet new people in America, they say, they love German Potato Salad.. when I ask which version they like, you can hear the crickets in the room..LOL..
Wifey.. oh wifey.. if you keep that up, I am going to develop a girl crush here ;-) Yes, we eat pretty healthy, but there are just some things Lewis won't give up, such as Chili.. he won't compromise for healthy ingredients, such as you stated either... So i am reliant on my german seasoning packet or else he takes over the kitchen and does it his way.. and boy.. that's dangerous..LLLOOLLL .. and you are too sweet with your offer.. I shall keep that in mind ;-)
Reaper.. I believe, you were trying to refer to "Knorr" .. I don't like that stuff much.. i prefer Maggi Fix (that's what the seasoning mix is called "Maggi Fix fuer Chili Con Carne)..
Walker.. I love to cook as well.. and usually, I cook with fresh ingredients etc... I have to say though, good point about the mouth being numb and all won't matter anyway... I don't like food that is spiced that hot. But you should see my youngest daughter and Lewis.. they eat hot-spiced food to the point of tearing up..lol
Tom.. LOL.. OINK.. you are such a goof!!!
Matt.. lol.. not sure if I am brave enough to try out any which way this dish is prepared by so many. Having Chili with my favorite Brit, however.. oh never mind..lol .. it would be fun having any meal at your house (at least, that's what it sounds like to me ;-) )(and that was not meant in a dirty way!!!!)LOL
ReplyDeleteEauynque... I guess is how it is really spelled...
ReplyDeleteWell, Ms. Busy Bee... you gonna tell us how it came out?
ReplyDeleteTry my own Ranger Tom recipe...
ReplyDeletehttp://rangertomsrants.blogspot.com/2006/02/rt-cooks-again.html
;)
Aaawww you might develop a girl crush on me my Darling Liane Baby?
ReplyDeleteThat's just too sweet!
Like I said the offer is there so if you want me to see if I can get hold of some German seasoning for you and post it out just hit me up on email..
XOXO as always,
Wifey
Hey Liane..........ich mach chilli so : ich brate erst das hackfleisch .....halb schwein/halb rind an.........und mach dann das eigentliche chilli.....mit mais,zwiebeln,rote bohnen,weisse bohnen,porree.ein hauch von knoblauch und tobasco und vermische dann alles......esse es aber erst am nächsten tag,dann ist alles gut durchgezogen . Guten Appetit ! ;-)
ReplyDelete*Knock knock*
ReplyDeletewhere did liane go...
Ok, how dod it turn out....
ReplyDeleteYes, hello? Sure pick our brains and then disappear...
ReplyDeleteFrank .. :-) ich esse nichts was Tobasco als ingredient hat. Ich weiss, ich weiss.. pingelig..lol
ReplyDeleteSir Thomas (look at that.. name change!!) .. I am still here... don't give up on me just yet ;-)
1manview, Tom and the rest of you fine people who like to know... When I wrote that blog, I was actually in the midst of making Chili.. kinda thought I could just make it, the way I thought it makes most sense to come close to what my little wonder-seasoning-package delivers..lol. Since I love to use as many fresh ingredients and pretty much no can-foods (I even grind up my own nutmeg for cryin' out loud..lol) here is what I did: ground beef, fresh garlic, EVOO, onions, green pepper, tomato sauce, dark kidney beans, jalapenos (green) and a round little Scottish something or other pepper, paprika, pepper, a little Himalayan salt (Show off!!..LOL) and some chili powder.. (i think that was all).. let that all cook for about an hour.. boy, I could not eat it... burned everything on its way down my throat.. Julia liked it and gave it a thumbs up, Jenny ate a bit slow..lol... Lewis liked it... I am sorry, i am not making it that way again though... Next time, i need to try a different recipe.. I even went and bought that "mole" already, ha!!! Wish me luck!!!