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c economist suntribune saturday sept 14 2002 17 bivevili the great chili challenge choco in you betcha m l says by sim one joseph staff writer ois gilbert stands in front of a bowl of chili and waves her arms toward her nose in a circular motion if the saliva starts to flow that is a 5 she mrs gilbert owner of a well tooled kitchen a newmarket culinary centre that runs classes and sells kitchenware was one of four judges at the york region newspaper groups great chili challenge last week fourteen recipes from across york region were judged at the richmond hill culinary arts centre based on four categories appearance texture flavour and aroma each category was worth five points look for more recipes entered in this years competition on the following pages of our new diversions section today most canadians recognize chili as a hearty mixture of meat beans and spices but where was chili first made there are about as many theories about the origins of chili as there are recipes one theory says the dish began in san antonio tx another claims it was invented by cowboys as they rode out their cattle one website states the only definite fact about chilis origins is it did not come from mexico as many competitors in the great chili challenge discovered part of the fun in making chili is improvising with new ingredients newmarket resident mike scanlons warmup chili recipe for example included one square of semi- sweet chocolate you can still taste the pepper but it takes a bit of sec competitor page is staff photosteve somerville economist sunstouffville tribunesun editor jim mason reacts to one of the warmer creations entered in the first york region newspaper groups great chili challenge this years winner was newmarkets michael burns blue ribbon winners were mike scanlon from newmarket and thornhills lesley golkin and the winner is newmarkets michael bums took to top prize in the york region newspaper group s first great chili challenge he says his winning recipe below was created following years of experimenting dads winter warmup chili jalapeno pepper finely chopped 1 whole serano chilies finely chopped 2 whole garlic cloves finely chopped 2 cloves vegetable oil 1 tbsp coarse salt 12 tsp combine ingredients in a small cup and allow to rest 1 to 112 hours to draw out the oils and water lean ground beef 112 lbs bacon fat or vegetable oil 2 tbsp saute beef until all liquid has evaporated and meat is well browned remove beef leaving fat in the frying pan vegetable oil and pan drippings 3 tbsp total chopped spanish onion 8 oz 1 large onion chopped peppers from above annato seed paste achiote chili powder ltbsp ground cumin 1 tsp all purpose flour enough to absorb the fat in the pan dark red kidney beans 1 14 oz can drain the juice and add 1 cup of water to the strained liquid diced tomatoes 1 28 oz can water or light beef stock 1 cup saute onions until transparent and then add chopped peppers cook a few minutes on medh urn heat then add annato seed paste chili pow der and cumin cook over medium heat to release the colour and blend flavours add enough flour to pick up all fat in the pan add liquid from beans diced tomatoes stock and cooked beef transfer to an ovenproof dish and bake at 300 f for 1 hour reduce the temperature to 250 f and cook an additional 1 hour remove from oven and add kidney beans adjust the final flavour with salt and pepper serve with garlic bread or nacho chips serves six cora and deanna morra ofmarkham say there is no chili better than slow cooker chili cha cha chili 112 lb ground beef 2 medium onions coarsely chopped 2 garlic cloves finely chopped 2 green peppers 2 cans tomatoes crushed diced stewed etc or equivalent freshhome canned 2 540ml cans beans kidney or pinto or both 1 tsp ground cumin 23 tbsp chili powder cover cook on high for three to four hours or low for seven to eight hours 1 tbsp chopped fresh basil or 1 tsp dried basil 1 tsp salt brown ground beef with onion combine all ingredients in slow cook er serve with warm pita fresh baguette crisp tortilla or cooked rice excellent for winter months when you have plans for the day ie christmas shopping skiing reading a good book skating with friends etc dinner is ready just when you arrive home variations tacos drain liquid from chili and use for soft or hard tacos topped with favourite toppings chili dip drain liquid from chili and serve as a dip layered with sour cream chopped fresh tomatoes let tuce grated cheese and other favourite toppings place in oven proof dish and warm through until cheese melts next day lunch kids love leftover chili w their thermos accompanied with a few tortilla chips enjoy