March Madness Chow: Chili Your Way

No Comments | Written on March 21, 2012 at 3:00 pm, by The Editors

Sweet 16 to Elite 8 to Final 4… March Madness is basketball bliss, week after week. Chili is always right for game day, game night, game afternoon…. you name it.

But that doesn’t mean you have to have the same old ground beef, tomatoes, and chili powder combo. Get your chili head on and try these recipes that take the classic for a walk on the slightly wilder side.

Here, our own version of the Final Four, chili-style.

(And in case you’re more of a wing man or woman, check out our March Madness Chicken Wings!)

TNT Chili (pictured at left), is, well, dynamite. Not necessarily because it has plenty of chiles (it actually uses jalapeño juice for heat). It’s because it’s made with sirloin steak, folks. The dynamite is in the details. Masa harina is the flour that’s best as a chili thickener, and this recipe’s got it. Throw in some pinto or red kidney beans if you prefer to have some legumes with your hearty meat stew.

Cincinnati-Style 5-Way Chili: We’re not partial (yes, Cincinatti is making its way up the ladder in the tournament), but we do love the way the Buckeye State city has fun with a bowl of chili. Spicy with ancho chili powder, this version is complex (but never sweet) with nutmeg, ginger, cinnamon, and cloves. And the best part is it’s served over spaghetti and topped with a sprinkle of grated cheese and chopped onions.

Chicken and White Bean Chili: Want an alternative to red-meat or just-plain-bean chili? Chicken breasts and cannellini are ready, willing, and able to concoct a satisfying, delicious bowl made even more tasty with cumin, oregano, and fresh cilantro. Grate some cheese over the top and sample the meltingly good and surprisingly bold flavor.

Prime Rib Chili: This is chef Tyler Florence’s primo chili, made with top-quality prime rib and a chili powder you mix yourself (which means roasting your own ancho chiles). For the flavor of Mexican mole, Florence includes a bit of grated unsweetened chocolate in the sauce, and spices it up with jalapeño and chipotle peppers in adobo. Want to impress your fellow Madness fans? This is the chili.