Before summer ushers in the blazing hot temps, and it will be sooner rather than later for us, I wanted to make a pot of chili. It quickly outgrew my regular Dutch oven and had to be moved to a larger pot but I knew that was going to happen. It’s hard to stir the meat and veggies in the bigger pot so I always start out with the smaller one.
Chili
A medium sized pot would have worked but I was too lazy to climb up on a stool and reach it.
Chili
After an hour or so of simmering, it was time for the magic ingredient.
Magic Ingredient
Many recipes call for cocoa powder, hot chocolate or even coffee to be added to chili. I’m not a fan of chocolate or coffee but this is my favorite chili recipe and I trust the author so I always do what he says. The recipe is in the book, A Few of my Favorite Things, by my friend, Steve Bennett.
Chili
When I make venison chili, I’ve always added cocoa powder. Pioneer Woman’s Tomato Soup recipe calls for sugar to “combat the acidity” of the tomatoes so if it works for tomato soup, it should work just as well for chili, right?
No matter what it does or why the recipe calls for it, I love this chili recipe.
Chili
We ended up with two half gallons, a quart and a bit more in the plastic container. We’ll have some for lunch today and the rest will be frozen. It’s so nice having good chili in the freezer.
Sandra Rea says
Judy, the recipe link just goes to the Honda advertisement every time. Is there a way to get to the chili recipe?
Judy Laquidara says
I re-did the link but it’s to a cookbook that is for sale. The chili recipe is in that cookbook.
Cynthia says
My mom used to put choc chips in the chili! I thought it was just her that did that!
Nelle Coursey says
I have never heard of putting chocolate or cocoa powder in chili but I might try it!
Dar in MO says
I’ve used some form of chocolate in chili too. Supposedly the Steak n’ Shake chili recipe has coca cola in theirs.
Nancy says
Be careful if you follow the link to amazon. That cookbook is listed for $621! If you check the other sellers its only $16.
Judy Laquidara says
I deleted the link. Don’t want anyone paying $62 (or thinking I did!). For anyone looking for it, look on Amazon or Google it. The book is A Few of My Favorite Things by Steve Bennett. He comes from a long line of cajuns who were amazing cooks.