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In the beginning days of dating my husband, I used to work with a young man with the boyish looks of a slightly older Justin Bieber and the charisma of Macklemore. We worked as customer service reps at a cellular phone company with our cubicles next to each other. He often wore baggy jeans, a white t-shirt, and a thick gold chain around his neck with overly gelled blond hair styled like Vanilla Ice. He looked like the kind of guy who probably went out every night to dance clubs and bars. But if you knew him like our team did, the only dancing he was doing most evenings was rocking his 1-year-old daughter back and forth in a glider hoping she would fall asleep sooner than later, and maybe catch a couple Zs himself in the process. When his attention wasnt on his one year old at home, it was usually on his 2 year old son. Raising two young kids as a single dad was his full-time job outside his full-time job at work. His name was Jason. He was 22 years old and widowed.
It was not uncommon for us to have these 2 or 3 minute side bar conversations between service calls as we talked about everything and anything happening in our lives at that given time. One conversation in particular has always stayed with me. During one of our mini conversations Jason shared how hard it was to always feed his kids from fast-food restaurants. Before his wife passed away, she would always prepare family meals, which was great for Jason because he did not know how to cook. After she died, the drive-thru became a staple for him on his way home from work to feed himself and his kids. Listening to him I felt so sorry for him and his situation. He was a good-hearted guy doing the best he could, trying to navigate fatherhood alone.
That single conversation with him has never left me. Right after it happened, I shared Jasons situation with my husband (then boyfriend). I told Rob, If we ever get married and have kids you have to learn how to cook just a few dishes, for our future kids sake. If I die, promise me you wont not feed our kids fast food every night.
Fast forward many years past our wedding and into our parenting years I have brought up Jasons story to Rob half seriously, reminding him he still needs to learn how to cook because you never know. I would love to tell you my husband learned how to cook. Sadly, this is not the case despite the many lessons Ive given him. The truth is he hates cooking.
However, I have been successful helping him understand how to cook from a cookbook and how simple cooking can be if he gives it a chance.
One of the easiest fail-proof recipes any person can learn how to cook is chili. It is one the most filling one-pot meals that can be eaten for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. Yes, I said breakfast.
Although my husband and I have been married fourteen years, his aversion to cooking remains. But, even he acknowledges the importance of this valuable life skill. Teaching Rob to make chili has been a tremendous blessing to me. This meal can be made on a cold winters night, to enjoy while watching football, or to make while camping with family. Its a great staple recipe to know how to prepare with nearly zero probability a person can screw it up.
If youve never made chili before, I invite you to make this recipe. It will give you confidence in the kitchen while feeding your kids a nutritious meal. Not to mention it makes a great Super Bowl (Go Seahawks!) dish to make for the big game.
Be sure to watch the video above to see Rob learn how to make this dish we affectionately called Dads Chili. But unlike Rob, make sure you dont cut (with the intent to use) the outer paper layer of an onion. Yes, Rob went there.
I still bring up Jason time to time to my husband to remind him how important it is for him to know how to cook. Lucky for us, we now have Dads Chili to enjoy.
FAQs
Only Add Flavorful Liquids
Instead of adding water to your chili, add some more flavor with chicken or beef broth, red wine vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, or even beet or wine. Each one of these options brings out different notes and levels of sweetness that will enhance your culinary creation.
What adds the most flavor to chili? ›
If you want more of a smoky flavor, add cumin, Spanish paprika, ancho chili powder, or a combination. If you are looking for more heat, add cayenne, crushed red pepper, or Hungarian paprika. If it's too spicy add a little brown sugar and some sweet paprika.
What liquid is best for chili? ›
Chili cooks low and slow, so you need enough liquid to tenderize the meat and keep everything from drying out. That liquid should also add flavor to the chili, so use chicken, beef, or vegetable stock, or beer.
Should I put honey in my chili? ›
The sweet taste offsets some of the spice. I was reluctant to make this because I thought the combination of cinnamon and honey would be bad but it was outstanding. My family has asked me to make this again but to turn up the heat. Excellent chili recipe.
What not to put in chili? ›
Beans and non-vegetable fillers such as rice and pasta are not allowed." If that sounds a bit uptight, the ICS's Homestyle Chili competition defines chili as: "any kind of meat, or combination of meats, and/or vegetables cooked with beans, chili peppers, various spices, and other ingredients.
What makes chili taste better? ›
"Adding fresh ingredients — like diced onions, cilantro, and jalapenos — will take any canned chili to another level," Dunleavy said. "The fresh burst of flavor will brighten and elevate the chili while also adding great texture and crunch."
Does chili taste better the longer you simmer it? ›
Cooking chili low and slow is the way to go
Although the internet abounds with recipes for quick-cooking chilis that take as little as 20 minutes (via MyRecipes), this stewed dish truly benefits from a longer cook time that will gently coax all the flavors out of the meat, legumes, vegetables, and spices in the recipe.
What are the best beans to use for homemade chili? ›
The best beans for chili are pinto, kidney, and black beans, like in this easy and tasty recipe. This 3-bean chili freezes great for meals later in the week. If you prefer thinner chili, add an extra can of tomato sauce. The green chiles are not hot and add a wonderful flavor, so don't be afraid to use them.
Should I add tomato paste to my chili? ›
The tomato paste adds color and rich flavor to our chili. Now we have our flavorful base, you are going to finish the chili with pureed tomatoes, beef broth (or chicken broth), and beans. Beans make this chili hearty — I like pinto beans or kidney beans.
What does cinnamon do for chili? ›
Cinnamon. The beauty of ground cinnamon is that it brings a warmth to your chili, without being spicy. It works well with other flavors commonly found in chili (like tomato, cumin and chile powder) so you only need a little bit to achieve the desired balance.
In a large pot over medium heat, heat the oil. Add the onions, garlic, and red pepper; cook, stirring frequently, until softened, 4 to 6 minutes. Add the beef and increase the heat to high; cook, stirring with wooden spoon to break the meat into ¼-inch pieces, until the beef is browned, 10 to 12 minutes.
Why do you put vinegar in chili? ›
With only about 1 tablespoon per pot added toward the end of the cooking process, the vinegar will make the flavors more vibrant without overwhelming the dish with its biting tang. Through just a splash, everything becomes a little brighter, and the chili's flavors are more balanced.
Why do you put brown sugar in chili? ›
The brown sugar gave it a sweet/tangy flavor that reminded me of BBQ-sauce! Th chili was so good - it was hard to stop eating it! I did had some extra veggies (1 cl. garlic, 1 celery stalk, 1 carrot, 1 bell pepper, 1 hot pepper) and used a can of diced tomatoes rather than tomato juice.
Should you put a little sugar in chili? ›
Put a little brown sugar in it
But that's not all brown sugar can do. Sprinkle Some Sugar notes that sugar can help cut the tangy nature of the tomatoes in this favored comfort food if the acid bothers your tummy.
Should you add a pinch of sugar to chili? ›
The chili tastes completely different without the brown sugar so if you like a subtle sweetness in your chili then you've just got to go for it! Trust me, it will not make your chili taste like candy. It's all about balance between spicy, smoky, and sweet.
Does sugar make chili taste better? ›
Now for the piece de resistance: 1-2 heaping Tablespoons brown sugar. The chili tastes completely different without the brown sugar so if you like a subtle sweetness in your chili then you've just got to go for it! Trust me, it will not make your chili taste like candy.
Why add vinegar to chilli? ›
With only about 1 tablespoon per pot added toward the end of the cooking process, the vinegar will make the flavors more vibrant without overwhelming the dish with its biting tang. Through just a splash, everything becomes a little brighter, and the chili's flavors are more balanced.
How do you make chili taste more meaty? ›
Ground Beef: Provides the hearty meaty base for the chili. Opt for 85% lean; the fat enriches the meat, enhancing the dish's overall flavor and texture. And don't stress about the fat—post-cooking, it's easy to skim off any excess. Baking Soda: Helps tenderize the beef by locking in moisture, making it more succulent.
Is chili better the longer it cooks? ›
Cooking chili low and slow is the way to go
Although the internet abounds with recipes for quick-cooking chilis that take as little as 20 minutes (via MyRecipes), this stewed dish truly benefits from a longer cook time that will gently coax all the flavors out of the meat, legumes, vegetables, and spices in the recipe.
