Anthony Sedlak’s Top Tips for
Tantalizing Chili
- Have fun, keep it simple and experiment!
Chili is a Canadian fave because it's the ultimate, easy one pot wonder. Throwing in lots of our favourite ingredients and watching their flavours come together makes chili a blast to cook. At the heart of it, chili is a simple dish, so don't overcomplicate it! Sometimes, the most comforting foods are the ones made with solid ingredients, straightforward technique and heaps of love. Chili is no exception.
- Brown your beef!
Browning your meat is an essential step to making great chilli. By browning the meat, it starts to develop a real "beefy" flavour. You can apply this tip to any chili recipe whether you're cooking with ground or cubed meats. The beef goes through two stages - in the first stage, as it begins to cook, the meat turns opaque and grey in color as the moisture evaporates from it. For great flavour, it's important to take it past this stage. Once the moisture has mostly evaporated, the beef starts to caramelize and brown. It's here that a rich, meaty flavour begins to develop. Always brown the beef!
- Play Around With Your Spices
A well balanced chilli with the correct profile of spices is a not about knocking your socks off. It is about having harmonious flavour and a zesty bite that makes you come back for more. That said, sometimes the spice factor in the foods we most enjoy can bring on a little heartburn. By planning ahead with some ZANTAC®, you can eat up without the worry.
- Long, low & slow...
When we get down to it, the method for making chili is similar to that of cooking a stew, or any other braised dish. Braising is a method of cookery used to tenderize meats while giving them loads of slow cooked flavour. The key to cooking a great chili lies in a long cook time, low temperature and sloooooow cooking! A great batch is a labour of love...an investment of time with a juicy return. That said, double down, make heaps and keep it on hand for that dinner in a pinch or when you have the gang over for the game.
- Feel Good About Eating Something Healthy
I cook at home because it is fun and I like to know what is going into my dishes. Chili is the ultimate one pot wonder that is high in protein and nourishes the body. You get a wholesome variety of vegetables, meats and dairy from the sour cream all into one bowl.
- Dress It Up
Simple garnishes are the key to perfect presentation. From an artisanal bread on the side, to a myriad of cheeses, a dollop of sour cream or Mexican crème, look to contrasting textures and vibrant colors. Toasted cumin seeds, fresh cilantro, or chopped spring onions can bring an herbaceous flavour to a spicy bowl and give it that restaurant flare!