Recently, I challenged my friend and local chef Scott McGehee to a chili cook-off at his Lost 40 brewery and restaurant in Little Rock. On voting day, we invited our friends to be taste testers and deciders.
The day was full of beer and friends and food. What more could you ask for? Chef McGehee’s fall chili pairs carrots and winter squash with chipotle for a sweet heat that builds with each bite. By contrast, my hearty winter chili recipe has a Tex-Mex flair with fresh lime, cumin and poblano peppers. Both are delightful!
You can see my Winter Chili recipe here, and then vote for yourself!
- Serves: 6
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon garlic, minced
- 1 cup water
- 1 (12 oz) can Lost 40 Love Honey Bock (or similar) beer
- 1 (28 oz) can canned diced tomatoes
- 3 ounces (half a small can) tomato paste
- 1 (16 oz) can canned cannellini (or similar) beans, with juice
- 1 cup diced green chilies
- 3 tablespoons dark chili powder
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 chipotle pepper in adobo, finely chopped (one single pepper, not a whole can!) (or more to taste for spicier chili)
- 2 tablespoons ground cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 2 cups medium peeled, and roasted butternut squash (or similar winter squash)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 pound freshly ground turkey (could sub ground beef or pork for a richer flavor)
- 1 tablespoon salt
- 1 tablespoon black pepper
- 1 onion, chopped
- 3 medium carrots, peeled and diced
Instructions
- Heat the oil in a large pot over medium heat. Saute, stirring often, onion, carrot, garlic, salt and pepper (for about 5-7 min until softened and cooked through). Place turkey in the pot with cooked onion mixture and cook until broken up and evenly browned (about 2-4 min).
- Pour water and beer into the pot and bring to a boil for 2-4 min. Mix in tomatoes, tomato paste, white beans, green chilies, chili powder, paprika, oregano, chipotle, cumin, cinnamon. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer 30-45 minutes. Add more water if its too thick. Mix in roasted squash amd simmer another 5 min. Add more salt to taste.
- Excellent served with fried sage and/or sour cream.