Winter is the season for comfort, happiness and family. It lets us take advantage of the fresh air and all sorts of outdoor activities like skating, skiing, sledding, snowshoeing, etc. When we come in and warm up after a good day of winter sports, the desire for warmth often makes us want to prepare meals that reinvigorate and comfort us.
Easy and nourishing, comfort food dishes are popular at Arctic Gardens, so we’ve decided to focus on one dish in particular – the famous chilli con Carne!
For starters, chili con carne was a dish originally made with ground or minced beef (hence con Carne which means meat) and chili peppers which are very spicy. To that, a Mexican spice blend made up of hot peppers, paprika, garlic, cumin, etc. is added. In its more contemporary version, chili has tomatoes, onion, garlic and sometimes bell peppers, beans, corn kernels, coriander and several other ingredients.
Very popular in many countries and cooked in as many different variations, this dish has countless secrets we don’t know about. Let’s discover them together.
10 Reasons to love chili
Chili can be really healthy if the cook wants it to be. Adding onions, two kinds of bell peppers and corn kernels make chili chocked full of nutrients and vitamins. You can put whatever veggies you like – carrots, celery, zucchini, etc.
Did you know that a serving of chili costs around $1.50 or $2 depending on the recipe? Ingredients like paprika, chili powder and cumin can be used for other recipes, so you don’t need to buy them every time you make chili. For veggies, use whatever you have lying around the fridge and that are ready to be cooked. Ground beef is definitely the most expensive ingredient in this recipe, but you can put less if you want the dish to be as affordable as possible!
Some chili recipes are complicated and take time to prepare. The beauty of this dish is that many tasty recipes take 10-15 minutes to prepare and 30 minutes to cook. It’s simple. You just have to put all of your ingredients in a big pot and let the whole thing simmer while you take care of other things, like laundry or homework with the kids.
Chili is known to be filling. After eating a serving, kids won’t ask for anything else the rest of the night because they’ll be really full. The combination of red kidney beans, tomato sauce, ground beef and veggies will tide everyone over whether they have big appetites or small ones!
What better to make than a hearty chili with tortillas or nachos when friends come over? Whether it’s a potluck or snack before a football or hockey game, chili is sure to be a crowd-pleaser and will add spice to your tailgate party, especially if you make a spicy recipe!
As mentioned earlier, there are many recipes perfect for your leftover chili. If you don’t think you’ll eat the leftovers before they go bad, freeze some of it. It’ll definitely be a lifesaver one night when you have many mouths to feed, but little time to get something on the table.
Several chili recipes have been tested on kids and they definitely approve of the dish. If your kids are a little pickier and your recipe has an ingredient they don’t like, try replacing it and you’ll see how much they’ll love the reinvented version made especially for them! If they’re still sceptical, have them help prepare the meal with you. They’ll suddenly enjoy the dish a lot more.
Without a doubt, chili can be cooked in every way possible! It doesn’t matter what your favourite food is and what’s in the fridge, there’s a recipe right for you. In the mood for something sweet? Simply swap out cumin and paprika for honey or maple syrup. Got roast pork to cook? Cut it into small pieces and add it to your chili. In short, whatever situation presents itself, making chili is always an option.
Many people opt for a few meatless meals during the week but have trouble finding dishes that have enough substance and protein. Chili sin carne with red kidney beans and/or chickpeas is the ideal dish for this kind of meal! Take advantage to double the amount of veggies in your recipe. You’ll love it!
Once prepared, chili is a dish that is satisfying in itself! No need to make side dishes like rice or sautéed veggies because you’ll find all the nutrients you need in the same mouthful. And you don’t have to dirty several pots and serving dishes because one is all that’s needed.
Variations of the recipe
Since its creation, the chili recipe has evolved according to the various regions where it’s made. In the northern US, corn kernels are added whereas, in the east, it’s a cheese that completes the dish. In Canada, red kidney beans are served with it which is considered a sacrilege by Texans! Ingredients that seem to be found in the dish regardless of the region are onions, garlic, tomatoes, chili powder, cumin, coriander and peppers. The most popular is still chili con carne although there is a version called sin Carne or non-Carne meaning without meat. The word chili (which right away means there are chili peppers in the recipe), is now used throughout the world and indicates that the dish uses it whether it’s vegetarian or not.
On the Internet, there are thousands of chili recipes, some more traditional and others more original which is reviving the dish. Here are some of my favourite chili recipes:
Ingredients: ground beef + kidney beans + onion + tomato + garlic + chili + cumin + oregano
Ingredients: red chili pepper + paprika + cayenne + tabasco
Ingredients: corn super sweet + honey
Ingredients: ground beef + corn super sweet + chickpeas + red and green peppers + celery + carrots
Ingredients: Arctic Gardens vegetables for chili + cilantro
How to Make Texas Chili (Award Winning Homemade Recipe)
FAQ
Is chili con carne actually Mexican?
What nationality is chili con carne?
Is chili con carne an American dish?
Is chili American or Mexican?
Is chili con carne a Mexican dish?
Although some may think that chili con carne is an authentic Mexican dish, it is actually an original American dish, made only in a few places in Mexico in order to cater to the tourists. If the dish were Mexican, it would still be a staple on the Mexican menus throughout the country, since traditional dishes do not go away that easily in Mexico.
Does Chili con carne have beans?
It can feature cubed chuck roast (like this recipe) or ground beef, along with tomatoes, onions, garlic and a mix of spices. This recipe includes minimal beans, but in some regions of the United States, such as Texas, traditional chili con carne recipes do not include beans.
Why is it called chili con carne?
Without chile, it doesn’t seem that it could claim the name chili con carne. Of course, we assume the “chili” in the name came from the ingredient chile. After all, it contains the word “con” in the name. “With” has to mean that something is “with” the meat (carne).
What does chili sin carne mean?
Chili sin carne literally means “chili without meat” in Spanish. Chili con carne is a stew from northern Mexico or southern Texas, containing chili peppers, beef, tomatoes, and red kidney beans. Heat 1 tablespoon of oil in a cast iron pan and brown the beef over high heat, then transfer it to a bowl. Set aside.