Chili Cook-off

Who loves chili?

I enjoy it with all the trimmings & corn bread, especially on cold days. 

Many organizations have put on chili cook-offs to raise money for different events.  Then, they would have judges to pick the best chili, give out prizes, etc....  I have felt for these judges sometimes.  You never know what you are going to have to try-hamburger, venison or maybe alligator.  Where do these cooks go to get that food anyway?  I heard that it was suggested for the judges to carry around some Tums.  After about the third bite the judges totally understood why that was a GREAT suggestion.  One judge said after about the second bite she could feel something in her throat, but the burn got hotter & moved down very quickly.

We have been a member of a couple of churches that had a special chili night or had a chili cook-off.

 In Valdosta, our church had a tradition to go caroling & eat chili the first Wed. in Dec.  People would bring their special crock pots full of different kinds chili.  The room where we ate was always very festive as the tables were covered in Christmas wrapping paper with candles all a glow. All ages would go caroling to many shut-in homes first & then come back for chili.  This is where I learned to eat chili layered-rice, chili, onions, cheese & sour cream.  Fun, Fun.

In Highlands, our church had a good ole chili cook-off.  I never entered, but I was always amazed at the different recipes of chili.  This was where I learned about White Chicken Chili  I thought I would try it sometime.

I always cooked my red chili in a big pot on the stove.  Since I saw everyone using a crock pot, why not me.  I found a White Chicken recipe & got out the crock pot.  I worked on it all day.  I must say, it was pretty good.  Instead of putting it up in a container for the night, I thought I would save messing up something else by putting the cock pot in the refrig.

Then the next day, Sunday, I got the cock pot out so it would start getting room temperature.  When it was about time to eat, I put the crock pot on the stove to very slowly start to warm up.  I didn't want to burn any of this art that I had created.

About the time for me to fill our bowls, I lifted the crock pot & a disaster happened.  I decapitated my pot-but opposite.  Not the top but the bottom.  The bottom got stuck to the flat top stove.  The rest of the crock pot came off in one unit.  The White Chicken Chili poured down & I didn't know what hit me.  It was like I was in the middle of a very quick level 4 river rapids.   Chili went every.  All over the stove, down the sides of the stove, down in the oven, all over the cabinets, the floor & me.  Thank the Lord I wasn't burned.   I was so disappointed.  With Dave's help, it took a while to clean up that mess.  Plus, no Sunday lunch.  We have moved since then but I still believe that there is some of that chili between the stove & counters.

I must say I haven't made White Chicken Chili since then.

{I read that this is an easy one.  Should I dare?  :) }

Bottom Line:
Don't put your crock pot on the stove top to warm.  When all else fails read directions & REMEMBER THEM.  When I got a new crock pot, the direction did read in the Do Not Section-don't heat on stove tops.  Oh well!!

Enjoy your chili, however you make it or make it in.

ann :)