It's THAT TIME of the week again, y'all--Friday! Chili Fights in the Heights, our favorite chili-centric foodie brawl, returns to our little stretch of the Heights tomorrow, October 4th. We can't wait to taste the amazing takes on this quintessential fall dish.
This week's Friday Five is comprised of 5 Essentials for the Perfect Pot of Chili--amateur chili cooks and the seasoned chili connoisseur will all agree these are must-haves!
1. A good pot
What type of pot should you use? That's up to you, but here are three of our preferred options, each a little different, but after the same goal: a perfect pot of chili.
Enameled cast iron French ovens from Le Creuset are practically heirlooms out of the box. They transfer seamlessly from oven to stove to table and look darn good while they're doing it. We use ours for, well, pretty much everything, including chili!
A stainless, tri-ply stock pot (like this one from All-Clad) allows us to use a low, evenly distributed heat to simmer our chili until it's just right. We aren't worried about hot-spots: it's a jam!
2. A good spoon
A pot of chili isn't a pot of chili unless it's been lovingly stirred, stirred, stirred by a chef with a long-handled (preferably wooden) spoon. Our pick is this French spoon, made of responsibly-sourced beechwood:
3. Great beans
Spare us! Chili has beans! And great chili has great beans.
When we discovered the difference using heritage, heirloom beans in our secret recipe, we thought about apologizing to anyone who had eaten our chili before. They make them that good.
Try Sangre de Toro beans in your next pot. Thank us later, but you're welcome.
4. The best seasonings
Maybe you make your own chili spice blend. Maybe you don't. If you're not feeling like a kitchen chemist, why not try an Arkansas-made seasoning like Ferneau's Signature blend or Woody's BBQ Rub, both of which will add great (though very different) flavor to your next batch!
5. Someone with whom to share
This may be the most important ingredient of all. Sitting down in community with friends, family, or even strangers blesses both the food and the diners. There's nothing like the conversation, warm bellies, and warm hearts created when we sit together and enjoy some good food.
