Friday was preparing for the first chili cook-off of the season... conned my kid into grocery shopping for me, for which he would receive a bag of home-made jerky, and a homemade pizza dinner (Dad pizza!). He was all over it!
Saturday was loading the coolers and van, to head out for a day of chili competition. Picked up my cooking pardner, Chili Dan, went to the American Legion Post, where it was to be held. Missing Mike, our other cook, showed up with daughter and we proceeded to turn a pile of ingredients into about 3 gallons of chili. Real happy with our pot full, our friends/adversaries Dragon Spit Chili were the next booth over. Last year, they edged us for 1st place, Buffalo Bros. took 2nd.. Lots of people sampled ours, and came back for more! We sampled other chilli's and weren't too worried... And the winner is- Not us or Dragon Spit! Three very bland chilli's placed, telling us the judges were rookies, or old people! Had a good time, though...
Sunday was a recovery day, did some cooking, but a lot of it was repeats- tuna fish salad( for lunches this week) broiled steaks, mashed potatoes, brownies for dinner, popcorn at night, to watch TV under warm blankets! Today I'll probably bake some banana bread with chocolate chips and crasins in it.
21 comments:
How many chili cook-offs do you do and is there a great website that you can recommend that lists them?
We have a huge one here in West Chester, PA every year.
Aw shame you didn't win the chilli cook off Buff. but at least you had a good time eh? :)
I guess this is your annual popcorn treat....the pizza looks so cheesy and delicious....
Bland winners?
That's horrible. At least you had fun and there is always next year.
Me and the Missus have already done our chilli cook-off. We don't wait too much after it's gotten cold outside to do that.
Hrmph. I suppose since you compete and all, there's no chance at the recipe.
Doc- About six a year,but rarely a sanctioned cook-off as their criteria makes the product nasty tasting! CASA or ICS websites are good for sanctioned, potluck for the local ones...
Ake- When one of the top three teams in the area don't place, we get a little puzzled- but we're all good sports about it!
DogB- Popcorn is starting to become more common around our house!
K- If it would have been a bean soup contest, I wouldn't have said a word..
Hef- This was indoors, but I've done plenty dressed like an Eskimo..
Kate- It's a recipe we describe as "You had to be there"...
If it's chili, it's not supposed to be bland, even if you're an old fuddy-duddy. My kids love it when I make pizza, but I'm not a huge fan of the stuff. Re: your chicken post a couple of days ago, the first time I got a case of oven stuffer roasters, naked, of course, from my restaurant supply house, my 12 year old bellowed, "Ewwww....chicken carcasses!"
Have you ever seen the story (it went around as an email a few years ago) about the guy who judges the Texas chili cookoff?
Maybe the judges were the worst possible combination ever: old rookies. Imagine them gumming down your chili as the piss and moan about it upsetting their ulcers or how it really sucks sitting this long because of their hemorrhoids.
Why don't you live closer to me? I would do all your shopping for some sample food!
I still curious about what this chili thing must be like, since there are always competitions being held with the stuff!
I am sure yours must be way better than the bland stuff. I guess the judges must have had cold or something & lost their taste buds!
Buff, some friends of mine went to a Chile Cook-Off on Saturday, and said the very same thing, the top 3 Chiles were very bland!!
I wanna judge a contest!!!
Buff? Can I come and live with you for a couple of weeks? Would you mind terribly. I only want to taste your cooking. I'll do all the washing up!
Marjie- Welcome to the blog! Roasting a chicken or turkey brined, but unstuffed is my new method of operation... stuffing outside(dressing!)the bird means the bird gets done quicker(juicier) and more stuffing/dressing can be made!
Jeanne- With everyone around here knowing what a chilihead I am, people must have given me 10 copies ofit!
Sornie- We decided to fill old airline booze bottles with Mylanta and send along with chili sample...
Jen- Tempting, but you have to live where there is no snow!
Mona- Well, last year three good teams took 1st, 2nd, and 3rd... none of which were members of the club that put it on... I think this year they made sure that didn't happen..
G-man- I've been in contests where there were 45 chilis, and one judge told me afterwards she didn't like any of them... That's a person who doesn't like chili-period!
Belle- Talk my wife into letting a cute young girl move in for two weeks, and you got a deal!
I am smacking my chops over the sound of this blog, and that pizza...no words...just drool...
Cute AND young. Maybe if I put up a real photo, whe would let me come.
My Dad pizzas are always a home made crust, in a full sized cookie sheet.. allowed to raise until 1/2" thick, then baked at 450F until done... with scratch sauce, and 4 kinds of cheese- these pizzas are more work than a gourmet meal!
Belle- You can't fool this woman! She will trust you- not me!
they stole it from you! it was yours!! but i had to laugh at the phrase "rookies or old people."
I've never heard of chili cook-offs but it sounds fun! And refreshingly competetive. It seems like you take good care of your loved ones foodwise, they are lucky!
Pink- I wish we had qualified judges at all the contests..
anette- I've been in over 50 contests like this in the last 12 years... Looks like your family eats pretty good too!
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