What non-standard stuff do you put in your chili?

[brokephibroke]

I use Italian sausage, bay leaves, worchestshire sauce, roasted poblanos besides the normal stuff like onions, jalapeños, beef, ancho chili powder, etc.

[htuttle]

1. Cocoa Powder

Just a bit.

[Phoenix61]

2. Beat me to it. nt

[mr_lebowski]

6. I've done a small chunk of dark chocolate in the past ... it's good! nt

[Liberal Jesus Freak]

3. A can/bottle of beer.

Whatever’s handy. I’m not a beer drinker but I love the flavor in chili!

[Major Nikon]

4. First rule of chili

There are no rules of chili

[The Blue Flower]

5. Coffee

Just a bit.

[htuttle]

7. Coffee is an unexpectedly amazing marinade/braising liquid for beef, too

[woodsprite]

8. Beer, chocolate, and cinnamon. nt

[JackSabbath]

9. Hot German mustard..

..and sweet potato. It works!

[consider_this]

10. I think - Vodka and Chocolate.

tried some interesting recipe with those items one - it was pretty good!

[procon]

11. Another like for strong coffee, plus some

pureed tomatillos that are strained to remove the seeds. I also add some masa harina meal to give the chili more body.

[Wawannabe]

12. Chocolate

And 1/2 finely crushed tortilla chips at the end of simmer time. Thickens and gives a authentic Mexicali taste (to me). Could use masa but I have tortillas around more than masa.

[Wawannabe]

13. I also make a black bean chili

That has sausage, chorizo, onion, canned Rotel tomato, beef broth and lots of fresh cilantro. Amazing topped with sour cream and cheese.

[OregonBlue]

18. Sounds delicious. Can't wait to try it.

[Wawannabe]

20. Thanks

Use ground cumin instead of chili powder. Didn’t say that in orig post.

[OregonBlue]

33. Got it. Thanks again.

[brokephibroke]

14. Lots of great ideas!

I bet alternative proteins like bison or lamb would add another level.

[NCjack]

15. green, yellow, orange, and red bell peppers.

[Staph]

16. Smoked paprika

I like that bit of smoky taste.

[brokephibroke]

17. I add chipotle powder

Smokey and kicks up the heat!

[japple]

19. Touch of cocoa, cinnamon, coriander, smoked paprika and, yes, I like pinto beans in mine.

eom

[Trailrider1951]

21. Dry red wine and some of Bob's Red Mill

I don't eat beef, so instead of ground meat I use Bob's TVP. The trick to using it in chili, pasta sauce, etc. is to make the dish w/o meat, and then add the TVP after simmering for an hour to blend flavors. Add the TVP until desired thickness is obtained and simmer for another 20 or 30 minutes. The TVP is a dried product that absorbs the flavors from the dish and has a texture very similar to ground meat. This stuff has a long shelf life and is good to store in quantity in anticipation of a meat shortage. It's both high in protein and fiber.

[brokephibroke]

23. TVP is always a good option.

Use on backcountry trips, packs great.

[The Polack MSgt]

22. I admit that occasionally, when i need to feed a lot of people

I will put . . . Beans in chili

There.

I said it.

Now leave me alone in my shame

[Worried senior]

34. We always put beans in chili.

[proud patriot]

24. crushed and tidbit pineapple

super yummy ..

[brokephibroke]

26. Interesting.

Do you put pineapple on pizza too?

[proud patriot]

27. I live in Hawaii

I am Pineapple and Avocado powered

[brokephibroke]

28. Lucky!

I admit to enjoying a Hawaiian pizza once from a joint in pahoa and it rocked.

[proud patriot]

29. it's hard to find a good pizza on the big island

I usually make my own ..

[brokephibroke]

30. Cafe Pesto still open?

It was decent. The place in pahoa was called AK pizza, but it is long gone.

[proud patriot]

31. looks like it's still open

I'm hardly ever on the Hilo side .. but when I am I eat .

https://www.cafepesto.com/

[trof]

25. Masa

About 1 T masa slurried in a little warm water.
Mixed into the batch at the end it 'tightens' up the chili.

[Kota]

32. Mr and Mrs t bloody mary mix.

Cant be just any mix, this adds the flavor and consistency I want.

[Hotler]

35. Oh, your talking about red chili..........

[brokephibroke]

36. Yep. The green is a whole another story.

[ihaveaquestion]

37. I make a vegetarian chili with mostly beans

It's a pretty standard onions, tomatoes and chilis recipe, ans sometimes I add corn too.

Lately I've been adding a tablespoon of miso paste to enrich the flavor and that seems to be the trick which makes it hearty enough for my meataholic hubbie.

I also used to add both black and green olives, and sliced mushrooms. My daughter who lives with us doesn't like any of these, so I don't add them these days.

[brokephibroke]

38. Sounds delicious.

[struggle4progress]

39. nopalitos

[brokephibroke]

40. Fresh or canned.

As that is a great idea.

[struggle4progress]

41. I like the bottled version. Fresh takes a fair amount of cooking IMO

[brewens]

42. Dry mustard. n/t