Posts Tagged ‘chili’
Posted by The Editorial Desk / Wednesday, October 5th, 2011
My latest pride: my spice rack.
After moving into a new apartment, I’m finally getting closer to unpacking all of my things and was beyond ecstatic to get this baby set up. My beloved spice rack was given to me by my sister and brother-in-law, and it’s been hands-down the best kitchen companion I could ask for.
At first, I felt a little overwhelmed by the amount of unfamiliar spices on this revolving monster: cardamom, caraway, marjoram, what?! But after some time I grew to love the thing, how it spins so swiftly with a flick of my wrist and I can pull out whatever color of the spice rainbow calls out to me at any given moment.
I have to admit, having this spinning savior can get a little dangerous, too. I find myself tempted to put a dash of this and a shake of that in everything (to my pan of scrambled eggs– a little bit of paprika? sure, why not!). So to spare anyone else from going spice crazy overboard, here’s a brief breakdown of what you can use different spices for.
Allspice—used in many baked goods; smoother and milder than cloves
Anise—a mild licorice flavor, used in cookies or other baked sweets
Basil—slightly sweet and herby, used in Italian and Mediterranean cooking
Caraway Seed—herb seed of the parsley family; slightly bitter, this is the seed of rye bread
Cardamom—rich and flavorful; used in Indian cooking
Cayenne—also known as red pepper; hot and spicy
Chili Powder—blend of dried chilis and herbs, not spicy like cayenne
Cilantro—fresh tasting herb; used in marinades, salsa or fresh dips such as for fish tacos
Cinnamon—mild sweet flavor; used mostly in sweet desserts, but also really good in chili, such as Hard Times’ Cincinnati Chili
Cloves—very strong and bitter flavor; used in desserts or sweet vegetable dishes
Coriander—citrusy, sweet and tart flavor; dried seed of cilantro; used in curries, soups and stews
Cumin—aromatic strong and hearty flavor; great with tomato dishes such as chili
Curry Powder—spice blend of typically cumin, coriander, cinnamon, ginger, cardamom
Dill Seed—herb used in pickles, dressings, or potato salad
Ginger—sharp and sweet flavor; used in sweet baked goods or curries
Fennel—licorice flavor
Marjoram—similar to oregano and mint, but sweeter and more subtle
Nutmeg—sweet and nutty flavor
Oregano—used in Italian cooking; mild herby flavor
Paprika—from sweet peppers; gives a bright red color and slightly smoky flavor
Parsley—fresh flavor, often used as a garnish
Rosemary—needle-like texture with strong flavor, used in Italian cooking
Sage—herb member of the mint family; typically used in stuffing
Tarragon—mild licorice flavor
Thyme—very strong herb; used in Greek and Italian cooking
Turmeric—natural yellow color and mild flavor of the ginger family
See the complete list here.
And just for fun:
-Julia Harbo
What do prison and chili have in common?
Posted by clara / Wednesday, August 3rd, 2011
Wednesday, August 3, 2011
Nothing, but here’s two events that have to do with the subjects!
Image Courtesy Bryan Wynkoop
Leesburg’s got a game of skill and teamwork happening this Friday, August 5. At 8:30 p.m. send your teen to Prison Break 2k11, hosted by the Edge Student Ministries of Destiny Church. The game requires speed and strategy; teams of six to 10 have to find their way to “Freedom” through dark fields to win. Over $4,000 worth of prizes will be given away at “Freedom,” and everyone gets a prize.
This year, the game takes on a new element. The theme “Decipher” hints to its re-focus on the mental game rather than physical endurance. Instead of racing to “Freedom,” teams have to play a game of numbers to get to the prize.
Last year, around 175 students participated. This year the event is free. Security will be on staff as well as bug spray tents to prevent bites, and parents can pick up their kids around 11 p.m. Visit the Facebook event for more information.
Image: Shutterstock/Maria Dryfhout
Do you have a homemade chili recipe that just can’t be beat? This Saturday, August 6, from noon to 4 p.m. head to the third annual Loudoun County Chili Cook Off. The Ashburn Pub will feature the winning recipe on their fall menu. Not crafty in the kitchen? No worries, the contest welcomes the public to this free event. Plus, you get to taste test and vote for the winner.
The event will include live music from Ted Garber and the Island Tyme Band, as well as kid’s activities, hot dogs and raffles. Proceeds from the contest will benefit Camp Comfort Zone, a program for kids who have lost a parent or family member. Pub owners Sue and Mark Eckert have been raising their 18-year-old niece after Sue’s sister passed away. The camp has made a difference for their family and they hope to support it for many others. For more information, visit the Facebook event.
–Clara Ritger
Posted by The Editorial Desk / Tuesday, November 16th, 2010
I love chili, and crave it during the fall and winter. I could eat chili for any meal, especially today when it’s rainy and dreary outside. Chili is a great meal on it’s own and can be made with chicken, turkey, pork, beef, and even seafood. I did a previous Gut Check back in October that focused on the perfection that is chili and some of the best places to get it.
(Image: Southern Living)
For all of you chili lovers out there, I have some good news. California Tortilla is giving a free 4 oz. cup of turkey chili to everyone who makes a purchase tomorrow- Wednesday, November 17th. They will give out one free chili per customer. Celebrate Thanksgiving a little early and have a hot cup of turkey chili on them. You will also receive a coupon for a free 8 oz. cup of chili on your next visit.
(Image: California Tortilla)
This offer is good at all of the California Tortilla locations. The chili is also available year-round on the menu, so if you decide you are a fan of the free turkey chili, you will be able to order it in the future. California Tortilla is a casual and quick Mexican Restaurant that serves unique burritos, quesadillas, and salads. There are 14 locations in Virginia, 2 in D.C., and 16 in Maryland, so there is no excuse for missing this deal!
-Liz Stevenson
Posted by The Editorial Desk / Monday, October 11th, 2010
There is nothing like a steaming hot bowl of chili in front of a football game or the fireplace. Chili only involves a few ingredients, and can be adjusted to taste. Pork, beef, turkey, chicken, seafood, or tofu- all are great proteins to base your chili around. Chili is an inexpensive meal that can be stretched for days. In fact, during the Great Depression, chili parlors gave millions of Americans a nourishing and inexpensive meal.
(Image: activerain)
Since it is still hot outside and I am dreaming of real fall weather, chili has been on my mind. Thankfully, when the wind picks up and the temperatures drop, there are several places in our area to get chili in a bowl, on a dog, or in macaroni and cheese.
The Vienna Inn is known for it’s amazing chili dogs. Some other favorites include vegetarian chili and chili mac.
(Image: Cave Creek Chili Company)
In Old Town Fairfax, you can get a taste of a real American chili parlor at Hard Times Cafe. Many types of chili are available to feast on including Cincinnati Chili, Vegetarian Chili, Texas Chili, and Terlingua Red. You can order chili mac, a Frito Chili Pie, or taters smothered in chili and any topping you could dream of.
(Image: Hard Times Cafe)
Last, but definitely not least- Ben’s Chili Bowl. This place has been around since 1958 and is recognized world-wide. From Half-Smokes to Chili Fries, they have it all.
You can make a big pot of chili at home and use it for several meals. I like my chili made extra spicy with habaneros and spooned over tortilla chips and topped with Monterey Jack cheese. There are tons of different varieties of chili you can make. This fall is a good time to try out your own chili and even get some practice making chili for next year’s DC 101 Chili Cook-Off. I am sure you can find some willing participants to be your taste testers and at the same time make a stress-free dinner.
-Liz Stevenson
Posted by The Editorial Desk / Thursday, March 18th, 2010
By Warren Rojas
Whether you wish to chase away winter’s fleeting chill or simply live to sup seasonal splendor, confidence is high Christine Ilich’s got a homemade soup for you.
The trained chef may have cut her teeth in NYC restaurants, but she seems to have found her true calling in her Front Royal farmhouse—the launching pad for her Heirloom Kitchen enterprise.
Ilich has developed an artisan soup catalog that includes garden-fresh entries like: an African sweet potato-peanut-ginger-cilantro blend (her top seller), curried lentils with cilantro and apricots (another local favorite) and butternut squash with apples and sage.
Heirloom Kitchen soups are available at the Winchester and Purcellville farmers markets and Berryville’s Midas Touch. To learn more, please visit: www.facebook.com/pages/Heirloom-Kitchen/112682954142.
(March 2010)
Battle of the South: Texas vs. Alabama
Posted by The Editorial Desk / Thursday, January 7th, 2010
Treat yourself to some southern food in honor of the BCS National Championship between the University of Texas and the University of Alabama.
Whichever team you fancy, both enjoy tasty barbecue (brisket or pulled pork), chili, and queso dip at tailgates.
If you’re watching the game at home, try some of these recipes:
-A Tuscaloosa fan favorite: Dreamland’s barbecue.
-Longhorns fan? Try some Texas style barbecue.
-Craving some chili? Try this BBQ Pit Boys’ favorite:
(Video: YouTube)
-Texas style queso (though some Texans swear by Rotel and Velveeta).
All are great fixings for a hearty dinner. Just don’t forget the sweet tea…or a nice cold beer!
Speaking of beer…
If you want to catch the action with Texas fans, head down to Rhodeside Grill. They will be featuring a Texas menu (chili dogs, hot dogs, corn dogs, Frito pies), discounts on certain foods (quesadillas, chicken fingers, chicken wings), and have Shiner Bock and Miller Light specials. Get there at least two hours early as it’s known to get packed.
If you want to catch the action with the Tide, visit Old Dominion Brewhouse. There will be a pre-game tailgate party (5-7pm), featuring unlimited access to free food (hot dogs, chips, seasoned fries) with the purchase of a $7 beer ticket at the door. For every ticket purchased, ODB will donate $2 to the Alabama Alumni Chapter. There will also be raffle prizes and an Absolut Promo party.
Tonight’s game is at 8:00pm (Eastern) on ABC.
If it came down to a battle based on food, who would win?
–Aisha Salazar
The Rise of Comfort Foods in Recession Era Googling
Posted by The Editorial Desk / Tuesday, March 10th, 2009
Photo Credit: beketchai
With the recession taking a hit on the nation’s disposable income, restaurants have taken to inventing “tax relief dinners” and “economic stimulus dinners” to lure customers back through their doors.
So, what’s on the menu?
Comfort foods, naturally. Plenty of feel-good foods, like fried chicken, macaroni and cheese, mashed potatoes, chicken pot pie and s’mores.
It looks like restaurants have been picking the right recession menus because the 2008 Google Zeitgeist (a glimpse at “the spirit of the times” through breakdown of the year’s Google searches) finds a distinct upsurge in people seeking comfort foods.
Here are the Top 10 Most Googled Comfort Foods in 2008. For fun, we’ve linked each search term to its “I’m Feeling Lucky” destination
- 1. ice cream
- 2. chili
- 3. spaghetti
- 4. meatloaf
- 5. fried chicken
- 6. chicken soup
- 7. apple pie
- 8. pot pie
- 9. potato salad
- 10. macaroni and cheese
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For some reason, Google doesn’t count “booze” as comfort food. However, they did include a list of the year’s most popular cocktail searches because there’s been an apparent increase in people looking to mix their own cocktails.
Makes sense to us. Why pay for a round at the bar when you can drink twice as much for less cash, right?
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Here are the Top 10 Most Googled Cocktails in 2008, along with their “I Feel Lucky” links (when searching “[name of drink] recipe”).
- 1. martini
- 2. mojito
- 3. margarita
- 4. manhattan
- 5. cosmopolitan
- 6. sangria
- 7. bellini
- 8. mai tai
- 9. white russian
- 10. bloody mary
What are some of your favorite comfort foods and cocktails?
– Christina Lee