My mom came to visit 2 weeks ago and brought me some cooking magazines that she thought I might enjoy. While flipping through Bon Appetit I found this recipe for Beef and Dark Beer Chili. Mmmmmm. Sounds good. Then I got to thinking...I bet no one at a church chili cook-off will put beer in their chili! Isn't that sacreligious? I'm gonna do it! I decided to be on a team by myself because I wanted it done a certain way and in my own time and I'm not very good at telling people what to do. How many of you know that if you don't tell people what to do they will either stand there and look at you...for hours, or they will jump in and do it the way they want. I didn't want any of that, so I formed team "me."
When I looked at the ingredient list, it seemed easy enough. Then I went to HEB and realized how much this chili was going to set me back. The recipe said to buy a 5lb boneless chuck roast and let the butcher grind it for you. Who does that? I needed to double the recipe so I bought 2 5lb tubes of HEB brand ground chuck and went on to the next item. The next big thing was the peppers. The recipe called for 2 1/2 lbs of red bell peppers and 2 1/2 lbs of yellow bell peppers (keep in mind I'm doubling). Does anyone know how much bell peppers are this time of year when they are any color but green? I would have needed to take out a loan. So, I bought less than it called for and made up the difference in onions. (How's that for making it my own Joel?) Since this was a dark beer chili, I needed to buy something that I never buy and know nothing about. Elliott was no help because he only recently discovered a beer he likes in Mexico. I needed the help of someone who was from a "dark ale" kind of place. I know, Tim Prosser! Erica said that his favorite beer is Newcastle Brown Ale. I thought, I'll buy a six pack, use 2 bottles for the chili, let Elliott try one, and the rest can go to Tim. Well, Elliott tried one. Really liked it. Decided that the chili needed more than 2 bottles and he would be keeping the rest for himself. Sorry, Tim.
Yesterday, while putting it all together, I started thinking of reasons why I didn't need to win. I do this thing where I think other people deserve it more and would enjoy winning more than me. What's wrong with me?!? I had a little bit of a shift. I decided that I wanted to win and I had every right to win. It was on!
If you were there, you know how it all ended and probably got to try it for yourself. I will say that I only ended up with a small plastic container of left overs to take home out of 3 1/2 gallons. That's saying something.
We've all been talking about our destinies and while I don't think making chili is my destiny, I love making things for people. And I love it even more when they love what I've made. I needed this little boost to get me going. I don't like being the center of attention, but God loves it! He's given me some talent in a few areas and I know that part of my destiny is to show people the love of Jesus through the things I make for them, be it food or art. This was a fun day. Now I need to think about how I want to spend my $100 at Academy!
http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/recipe_views/printer_friendly/237096
11 comments:
You did deserve to win. Your chili was delish. You are a great servant with a creative heart and mind. So, you can cook for me anytime. Well, maybe when the contest is over. You killed my calorie count today. Hopefully I offsest it with the mile around the track. But probably not.
That was some Goood stuff Maynard.
I think that dates me almost as much as your last blog dates you. I couldn't get my picture to scan so I might have to go to your house to scan my prom poof in. I still like that dress, and if I still weighed 110 pounds I would dance around the house like a goof!
Seriously congrats!
Pam! I was so proud for you yesterday! I mean come on..you beat My Mom! That has to say something for your chili!
I was glad to see you win. It made me really happy. I'm excited to see your great shoes that come out of Team Me.
You deserve to win for sure!
Congratulations!! How fun!
Your chili was AWESOME!!! I had Donna's (oh my goodness good), then went to Michael Lane's (it was good too), but then I decided that I had to try yours and it was DELICIOUS!!!! Yesterday was a lot of fun!! And, you definately deserved to win!!
I'm not a big chili guy, and didn't eat but two spoonfuls of it yesterday before the big game. Sounds like we should have a chili supper at your house. :) I'll try a bowl.
Speaking of Joel? Did he really think his professional culinary advice helped you win one of the most challenging chili cookoffs in the history of Clyde. I can't tell if his ego helps or hurts how cool he is. Try not to let his charming good-looks or his tight buns keep you from enjoyig your victory.
P.S. Next year Iam going to start calling him months before the chiil cook off. I could use a new pair of shoes from Academy!
I'm just going to assume that the anonymous comment above is from Trish. However, it could be Joel trying to make us all think he has a stalker. Because, after all, deep down inside we all want a stalker!
That sounds so freakin' good. I'm gonna have to make it. I had a good beer chili one year at my work for our Annual Chili cook-off and I COULD NOT STOP eating it. I probably got drunk off of the amount of beer-chili I ate.
I'm drooling as I type....
I think next year we should just drink beer and forget the chili. We will call it The First Annual Home Brew Contest. I will judge and taste all the different beers. Pam you bring the bell peppers and maybe we can have a old womens & young girls volleyball match.
That way all the dads can watch the kids while the woman play.
I so let you win...
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