But today was alright for the brain mostly, things definitely got better as the day waned on, at least I can say. So my stomach and yours will be treated to what is sure to be one of the more fun parts of this sweet blahg, the FOOD! Because I love to cook...and eat. For sure it's been a pretty rough week of epic proportions for old Sweet Nuthin. But I was motivated by a wonderful girl on Thursday named Kim to enter this Chili cook off contest out here on the beautiful Russian River.
Now I love to cook, but chili isn't on the top of my resume of specialties at all. I couldn't even remember the last time I made it to be honest. But the opportunity to emerse myself in a simmering potion of bubbling spices, while practicing the fine art of food sorcery in competition, was too good to pass up. So I sucked it up and headed down to chili town!
Having put together a spice blend at home before heading out to the store, I had my battle plan ready and picked up all the required ingredients for my effort at greatness, or at least goodness I hoped. Some organic ground chuck and country sausage with sundried tomatoes from the local Willowside butcher. Produce, chilis, beans and secret ingredients were acquired from the Safeway. Blah, I know! But the whole foods was closed by the time I got there so I made do with my last minute decision.
Some 4 hours later with hands burning of fire, it was 2:30 am in the morning, and I had my potion complete for the competition. All that was needed now was an overnight stay at the holiday frigidare to bring all the layers of flavors together. Another 2 hours of simmering would follow the next day to lock in that final flavor profile that would represent my culinary prowess or lack there of.
2:00 pm came, and I was set up and ready to go. Chili Vanili as it was called, thanks to a quick pole on my favorite message board. The name competition seemed to at least be attainable. I would set my sites on semantics my first ever cooking competition, even though I thought my product was pretty damn tasty. For sure there was going to be some stiff competition, chili heads I hear they are called. 14 of them to be exact, all set up and ready to take home the coveted crown of Chili Champion 2009. From local restaurants and chefs showing what they got, to kids from the midwest slinging their version of 3 way chili served over spaghetti, it was well represented. I was feeling woefully overmatched by the look of confidence in their eyes. All the contestants were checking each other out, seeing and tasting the competition was the first order of business before the real judges, 'the people' showed up.
Putting my best foot forward I described the chili in mouthwatering detail hoping to gain some small advantage. Still not thinking winning was within my reach, I hoped for the lofty prize of third place, at least I'd be on the podium. Votes were scarce at first, but for a few that started trickling in for the best name category. However those golden best chili tickets just weren't coming the Chili Vanili's way. Was it the possible rocking scandal that questioned the legitimacy of my chili due to the name? Had other competitors bribed friends to stuff the ballot box? My bag was woefully empty, the reason didn't matter so I just kept eating the competitions chili and having a good time with the people that came by my way.
For what its worth, I was proud of just being able to put the strength and energy up to even accomplish getting out of the house and escaping from my horror movie of a week. But I also felt that I was due for something positive to happen because the pendulum had swung way to far in the other direction to not start coming back my way soon. As the day progressed something started to change. A small line at Chili Vanili central? Could it be that there is some banter of a possible winning chili at my table? I heard whisperings, even other competitors that hadn't yet sampled my wares were starting to show interest as well. Magical golden yellow tickets were being dropped into the Vanili's bags some slyly, some with fanfare. The question was starting to creep into my mind, do I have a chance to win this thing against all these chefs and chili heads? Sunset was happening now, the bags were collected. It was the big moment of the chili champion announcement of 2009. Could the rookie, Sweet Nuthin, who aint got nothing at all right now have everything in Chili town on this day?
Ladies and Gentleman, boys and girls, I present to you the Grand Champion Chili and Best Name competition winner in a clean sweep. The Mutha F'ckn Pope of Chili Town 2009!
The Award Winning!
CHILI VANILI
and its recipe for you to enjoy!
1 Lbs Sonoma County Grass Fed Organic Ground Chuck
3/4 Lbs Sonoma County Ground Country Sausage with Sundried Tomatoes
2 Teaspoons Olive Oil
2 Onions / 1 Yellow 1 Red Chopped
2 Large Cloves of Garlic minced
2 small Shallots Chopped
2 Cups Diced Tomato Can or fresh is fine
1 12oz Bottle Lagunitas Cappuccino Stout. Any stout will work fine but this one is epic if you can find it.
1 Can Beef Broth
1 Cup Coffee, I used Starbucks Instant Via Coffee (secret Ingredient)
2 cans of tomato paste
1/2 cup + 1 Tablespoon Dark Brown Sugar
3 1/2 Tablespoons Vietnamese style Chili Sauce
2 Roasted Pasilla peppers or Pablanos will work as well chopped (Seeds and membrane removed.)
1 Roasted Anaheim Chili Pepper Chopped(Seeds and membrane removed.)
1 Jalapeneo Pepper Chopped (Seeds and membrane removed.)
1 very small Habenero Pepper Chopped very fine (Seeds and membrane removed.)
1 Serranno Pepper Chopped very fine (Seeds and membrane removed.)
1 Sweet Hot Italian Pepper Chopped or Small Red Pepper (Seeds and membrane removed.)
2 Grilled Roasted Ears of Corn cut from the cob or frozen is fine if you can find roasted.
1 fresh Cayenne Pepper chopped (Seeds and membrane removed.) or 1 1/2 teaspoon Ground Cayenne
1 Teaspoon Salt
1 Tablespoon Unsweetened Cocoa
1 Tablespoon ground Cumin seed
1 Teaspoon Oregano
1 Teaspoon Coriander
4 Cups of cooked Kidney Beans, fresh is much better but canned is fine.
Heat oil.
Cook onions, garlic and meat until brown. Add a little bit of salt to help sweat the onions.
Add tomatoes, beer, coffee, tomato paste and beef broth.
Add all the spices, chili paste, and the brown sugar
Stir in 1/2 of the kidney beans and all the peppers and corn.
Reduce heat and simmer for to 2 hours.
Add the other half of the kidney beans and simmer for another hour.
Store overnight in refrigerator and reheat and simmer for 1-2 hour before serving.
