Chili Season Billings, Rules To Follow for Great Chili Experience

I have rules when it comes to a great Chili.  It is essential that they are followed in order to maximize the experience with one of the world's most perfect food.

Chili Must Be Homemade

I am not saying that every ingredient has to be started from scratch, but it must be a mixture of ingredients that are cooked on the stove using a recipe.  NO CANNED CHILI.  I am sure many of you will argue that you know of a brand that is great heated up from a can.  This could be fine for your tastes, but for me, homemade is it.

Chili Must be Made With BEEF.

Beef should be the primary meat ingredient in your chili.  I do not believe in chicken chili, there is no such thing.  Don't even mention vegetarian.  Beans are fine, just so the ratio of meat to beans means I am hunting for a piece of meat.  Simple math, 70% meat, 30% beans will do fine.

Chili Must Be Naturally Spicy

When I get my chili in the bowl, it must be almost too spicy to eat.  I am addicted to that lingering hot spice flavor that you can only get from a great chili.  This comes from the flavors that are placed in the pot while cooking.  I do not want to add hot sauce or red chili peppers.  That just is not the same.  Sure it heats it up, but full-flavored spice comes through cooking it into the chili itself.

There Must Be Cornbread

Don't even attempt to serve chili at my table without cornbread on the side.  Unlike the chili itself, the cornbread can be made out of a box.  I don't even care what brand it is, just so there is plenty of it.  I like to eat it with just butter along with my chili and then for dessert, add honey to a big piece.  Nothing is better.

Chili Must Be Plentiful.  Leftovers are Required

After the initial feast, there must be at least an equal amount remaining for chili's multiple uses. The next couple of days are filled with chili dogs, chili burgers, chili over cornbread, and finally another chili dog. Find the largest pot you have and fill it up, please.

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These rules are easy to follow.  This is not a contest, just some basics that make chili what it was intended to be, comfort food for cooler months.  There is nothing that tastes like it and it is easy to make.

One last word of advice.  Don't ever judge a Chili Cookoff.  It is a lot of fun and tastes wonderful during the event, but after, not fun.  Not fun at all.