Difference between revisions of "Events/2019/Chili Cookoff"

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=== General Suggestions ===
 
=== General Suggestions ===
  
* Start with dried beans - soak with baking soda to degas
+
* Start with dried kidney beans. Soak overnight with baking soda to degas, then partially cook.
* Sweat the onions and peppers (french style)
+
* [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sweating_(cooking) Sweat] the onions and peppers, set aside.
* Add bitter chocolate and coffee to meat
+
* Brown meat under broiler on a baking tray.
* Use stew meat instead of ground
+
** Use stew meat instead of ground, for the texture
** Brown under broiler
+
** Save all fat and drippings
** Save the fat
+
* Combine meat, peppers and onions, beans, and some tomatoes; season, and bake at least until beans are done
 +
** Ideally, use a heavy dutch oven or similar. You want the high thermal inertia.
 +
** This may also be doable in a slow-cooker, but moisture should be watched carefully.
 +
** Secret sauce for good chili: unsweetened chocolate and black coffee.
 +
* Bean-containing chilis are best after they've been allowed to cool and then reheated.
  
 
=== Ingredients quantities ===
 
=== Ingredients quantities ===
Line 40: Line 44:
 
* Some coffee
 
* Some coffee
 
* A bit of bitter chocolate
 
* A bit of bitter chocolate
 +
* Cornbread
  
 
For serving:
 
For serving:

Revision as of 18:55, 14 September 2019

Hacksburg will be competing in the 2019 VT CRC Chili Cookoff. This page documents the details and our plans for the competition.

Basic Info

  • Date: Wednesday, October 2, 2019
  • Location: The Plaza between 1900 Pratt and 1861 Pratt Drive
  • Rules

Chili Recipes

The rules specify a red "homestyle chili" including meat and beans. The rules suggest one 16 oz serving for judges and 200 3 oz. servings for the public.

General Suggestions

  • Start with dried kidney beans. Soak overnight with baking soda to degas, then partially cook.
  • Sweat the onions and peppers, set aside.
  • Brown meat under broiler on a baking tray.
    • Use stew meat instead of ground, for the texture
    • Save all fat and drippings
  • Combine meat, peppers and onions, beans, and some tomatoes; season, and bake at least until beans are done
    • Ideally, use a heavy dutch oven or similar. You want the high thermal inertia.
    • This may also be doable in a slow-cooker, but moisture should be watched carefully.
    • Secret sauce for good chili: unsweetened chocolate and black coffee.
  • Bean-containing chilis are best after they've been allowed to cool and then reheated.

Ingredients quantities

  • A cow's-worth of stew meat
  • Absurd amounts of canned tomatoes (petite diced or crushed)
  • Ridiculous numbers of onions
  • Crazy quantities of poblano peppers
  • Far too many red kidney beans
  • Some coffee
  • A bit of bitter chocolate
  • Cornbread

For serving:

  • Sour cream
  • Green onions
  • Shredded cheese?

Booth Decoration

It appears that booths were decorated and competitors wore costumes in previous years. We were thinking of a medieval theme for our booth given what we have on hand.

  • Cauldron of chili (using smelting furnace and cast iron pot)
  • Costumes
    • Dragon Knight (Cameron-confirmerd)
    • Wizard (John-confirmed)
    • Wands from wand competition

Other Hacksburg themed decorations could include

  • Scrolling LED sign (James)
  • Turned wood bowl (Nick)
  • Wood carved serving implements