Feedback on an odd idea for feeding a fussy crowd, please?
Okay, so I'll be having a small crowd in the house a few nights after Christmas, but before New Year. I've got to please a variety of palates, dietary needs/preferences (pescetarians, no pork, vegetarians, no dairy, no carbs, etc.), and I have an extreme shortage of hands-on kitchen time at my disposal. A slow-cooked dish is definitely appealing.
I'm thinking of doing "Chili In Two Parts". One will be a pot of vegetarian chili beans, the other will be a pot of pure chili con carne (no frijoles). Both would be made with the identical chili powder blend and the same quantities of other ingredients (garlic, onions, peppers, etc.). Basically, I'd be making my usual beef chili with beans, except I'd be cooking the beef and the beans separately.
The idea would be that those who want only vegetarian chili or only chili con carne would obviously choose one or the other. Those wanting beef chili with beans would be able to mix the two in whatever ratio they prefer.
All would be accompanied by the usual fixins -- corn bread, shredded cheese, minced onions, etc.
What do you think? Is this craziness or am I on to something here?
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26 Comments:
I think that's a great way to compromise and make everyone happy. I say go for it- and I'm going to file this one away in the memory banks should I need a similar solution in the future!
ErikaWaz at 8:58PM on 12/14/08
Sounds like a perfect solution. Is sour cream part of the "etc." ?
Sometimes, I stretch chili with some pasta and it's really good.
PerkyMac at 9:12PM on 12/14/08
I agree with Perky. Add some pasta or rice that folks can top and you're all set. Or cornbread.
ccbweb at 9:16PM on 12/14/08
Love the idea! You're certainly on to something here, no doubt. Your chili bar sure sounds like an absolutely perfect solution!
brooke29 at 9:18PM on 12/14/08
can I come? sounds like a fantastic solution!
NYCEater at 9:27PM on 12/14/08
It's a great idea, but I think the addition of rice would really help to cover all your bases. I think of the example of my OH, who doesn't like beans and thinks chili is gross meat overkill. However, a spoon of chili con carne over a helping of rice would be fine with him.
renzata at 9:31PM on 12/14/08
Oh, it's so nice to be validated by Serious Eaters! Blush...
Regarding a starch base, I was actually thinking of doing baked potatoes to fill with chili and fixns (versus rice or pasta, although I love chili over spaghetti). That would be in addition to the option of pouring it over cornbread (my crowd is mostly of Southern heritage, so pouring chili over corn bread is a natural).
Also, although sour cream tends not to be very popular with my people, it will definitely be there as an option. Along with various hot sauces (Tapatio, Pico Pica, Sriracaha, Franks), red pepper flakes, minced fresh chiles (serrano, jalapeno), fresh-made pico de gallo, Herdez salsa, saltines, chopped scallions, cilantro, and probably some crushed tortilla chips.
What did I miss for fixins? I like mine with cheese and onions, so the rest is not in my area of expertise...
LoCo at 10:00PM on 12/14/08
Maybe some diced red pepper? Depending on how spicy you make everything (and how spicy people choose to make it with the toppings), the sweetness of the pepper might be a good foil to spice that some people might enjoy.
love, love the baked potato idea! I might have to borrow that idea... do you scoop out some of the baked potato so they have room to fill it (more of a potato-bowl, I guess), or just slice it in half and serve?
NYCEater at 10:16PM on 12/14/08
I'm a vegetarian and my husband isn't. I love to cook but won't touch meat. Most of our meals are cooked by me, with him making some meat on the side to add. One of the most successful dishes we make like that is chili. It works out well, and is a great solution for a group too.
nalega at 10:33PM on 12/14/08
Perfect idea.. may have to steal it one day!
izzy's mama at 10:37PM on 12/14/08
How about diced avocado to add to your toppings. And a crisp green salad on the side?
PeanutButter at 10:39PM on 12/14/08
Oh Yeah, I always serve chili with boiled potatoes, like my Mum did. Baked sounds great as well.
PeanutButter at 10:40PM on 12/14/08
I serve a similar fare not because of vegetarians but the chili with beans or not beans issue. And I do have cornbread. No rice or potatoes. The menu is chili, beans, cornbread and toppings. Guacamole is a good topping. It will be a hit.
vickiee at 12:18AM on 12/15/08
I think it's brilliant. The only think I can think of that might be a good addition (depending on the crowd) is a bid old bowl of lettuce and other salad ingredients, in case someone want to do a "taco salad" type of thing.
dbcurrie at 12:40AM on 12/15/08
Oh cripes. That would be BIG old bowl.
dbcurrie at 1:47AM on 12/15/08
I am a vegetarian and don't eat chili. However, if you served baked potatoes I could easily enjoy that with the non-chili toppings--ditto with cornbread.
You might want to add some butter and jam for cornbread toppings.
I just saw a Cook's Country episode on Cincinnati Chili, or chili with spaghetti and cheese that looked strangely good, though.
HeartofGlass at 6:56AM on 12/15/08
Your idea for two chilis is spot on. Keep both recipes as simple as possible so as not to cross any boundaries. Make the "etc." as long a list as you can manage while still living within your limits on time.
Not sure if it's available all year 'round but Costco sells really nice mini cornbreads.
I've made Cincinnati Chili and you really have to like sweet flavors. If you keep your chili recipe for both types in the "southwestern" vein, you should be able to please all. (I do recommend you try the Cincy chili one cold weekend this winter. And don't forget the spaghetti.)
therealchiffonade at 7:59AM on 12/15/08
That's exactly what i do every year for SuperBowl. Last year we added a huge tray of mac & cheese as well as the usual chili toppings. that went over very well.
VerasTastyFreeze at 9:05AM on 12/15/08
Great idea LoCo!
@ Perk ~ Chili and pasta? I am having trouble wrapping my brain around that.
izatryt at 9:05AM on 12/15/08
@iz ~ I actually had chili and pasta for dinner last night. Thin spaghetti. I add some pasta water to thin the chili, and sprinkle dish liberally with parm. So good!
PerkyMac at 9:53AM on 12/15/08
^I know this wasn't what was served at chez Perky, but this is what I was introduced to via the magic of TV yesterday--had heard of it but never really seen it before:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cincinnati_chili
HeartofGlass at 10:14AM on 12/15/08
OMG HeartofGlass ~ I never heard of that. They have certainly taken my idea a lot of steps further. Most of those combos are truly repulsive!
PerkyMac at 10:25AM on 12/15/08
Great idea. Don't forget the tortilla chips...that's my favorite part! I'd suggest leaving them whole instead of crushing them. I like to use them to treat my chili like a dip, and if some folks want crushed, they'll know how to do it on their own.
Kerosena at 10:46AM on 12/15/08
Now if you was to have some fritos....some frito chili pie you know the little bags that come in the vending machine, pour chili in bag when finish throw away.....
Markbb at 1:07PM on 12/15/08
If you time make a mini salad bar along with the chilis that have all sorts of veggies shredded chicken, tofu ect, that would accomodate to everyones needs with addition to salad dressings and and toppings that you could use for tops of the salad and the chili's (sour cream, shredded cheese's, green onions, salsa's, jalepeno peppers, olives, yadda yadda. I would love to have a salad bar with toppings to choose from and then a bowl a piping hot chili with the choice of veggie or meat. This just gave me an idea of what to do at next super bowl party.
pjracz10 at 2:23PM on 12/15/08
@markbb, that's what I was going to say. Frito chili pie is so regional, and yet so sensible ...no dishes to wash. Rip off the side of the bag, pour chili over and sprinkle with onions and cheese. Hmmm, sounds like dinner tonight!
ocarol at 2:23PM on 12/15/08