Chili!
I've been saying for awhile how I need to start developing a chili recipe. Well, finally on Sunday I started. I based the recipe on this basic chili recipe that looked good to me. But of course began to tweak it already. here's the ingredient list:
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 lb hot italian sausage
- 1 Large white onion
- 1 Large red bell pepper
- 1 Large banana pepper
- 1 Jalapeno Pepper
- 3 Cloves of garlic
- 2 Cans Tomato Sauce
- 1 Can stewed tomatos
- 1/3 Cup Flour
- 4.5 TBSP Chili Powder
- 1/2 Tsp. ground chili tepin
- 3 Tsp. ground Cumin
- 3 TBSP Vegetable Oil
- Salt, Pepper
- Water
Past that, I followed teh directions on the original recipe pretty closely.
Prep: Mince the garlic. Finely chop the onion and peppers. Set aside. In a small bowl, mix together the flour, chili powder, 2 tsp of the cumin, 1 tsp of salt, and 1 tsp of pepper.
In a large pot, heat the oil over medium heat. Add the onion, garlic, and peppers. Cook until the onion is soft and translucent. Add the ground beef and and sausage and brown. While the meat is browning add a few pinches of salt and cumin. Drain any excess fat.
Still cooking, add the flour mixture to the pot and stir to coat. Add the tomato sauce and stewed tomatos and about 3 cups of water. This gave a semi-thick chili. More water, thinner. Less, thicker.
Add the ground tepin and a few dashes of cumin. Stir well. Bring the mixture to a boil, reduce heat to low and simmer for about an hour. (I transferred the chili to a crock pot once it reached a boil and let it simmer for about an hour or two there.
We added a dollop of sour cream, shredded cheese and oyster crackers. It didn't turn out as spicy as I was hoping. An okay spice but nothing hot. I'd make this chili for general consumption. but when I'm in the mood for something hotter, I'll probably add anotehr chopped jalapeno or two and some additional tepin.
Sadly, i did not take any pictures. :\ next time.
P.S. Our ground beef was 1 lb of ground beef from Seven Sons Meat Company. It was the best ground beef I've ever worked with. My tepin this time was my old chili tepin spice mix that had tepin, cayenne, a little salt and pepper and some chili powder. Next time I'm using straight up fresh ground chili tepin. I ordered some from the internets as Marsh doesn't seem to carry it anymore.
Drinking Liberally profiled in Nuvo
Just a quick link. Drinking Liberally: Indianapolis made this week's Nuvo Newsweekly. It's a good profile and includes information not only on DL but on Spencer's Tavern and the ReplicAle beer event from a couple weeks ago. Good stuff.
Half Moon Restaurant and Brewery
So last week I went up to the new (and one and only) Brewpub/Restaurant in Kokomo, Indiana - Half Moon. Given that it's very near where I grew up I figured it was worth a try. Half Moon Restaurant and Brewery.
The decor and overall look and feel of the place is FANTASTIC. But I know that's not what you want to know. You want to know how the beer is!
I tried two of their six available beers. ratings are out of four.
- Elwood's IPA: This was probably the strangest IPA I have ever had. For one, it was amber in color. An Amber IPA? Not very pale if you ask me. ALso it was far maltier than any IPA I have ever had. It was still dry, and had a decent level of hops but... it was just off. It tasted like a mix between an IPA and a brown or amber ale. I'm not saying it was bad, it was pretty good really with an excellent semi-creamy head. The citrus smell really comes through very well. I just don't think it was really an IPA at all. Judged as an actual IPA: *1/2. Judged on its own not thinking about what it should have been: **1/2
- Wildcat Wheat: A decent wheat. The head was VERY disappointing through, starting out small and quickly reducing to a thin film on top of the beer. The taste was no different from your typical wheat, if a little... oily? I guess that's more "mouthfeel" - it did have a slightly 'slick' feel to it. Not as much citrus aroma or taste as I'm used to in a wheat either. **
I will say the food was EXCELLENT. The sliced and breaded jalapenos were great, but instead of coming with a chipotle sauce which just overdid the spicy they need to come with sour cream.
I'll go back. Hopefully over time they can improve the beers. There is definite room for improvement but hints of what could be solid beer.
Come Drink Liberally Tonight
Come one come all! Tonight is the weekly Drinking Liberally: Indianapolis!
7pm-whenever
Spencer's Stadium Tavern
802 S. West St (SW Corner of West & McCarty)
It's gonna be hot out some come have a cold brew and talk politics, news, music, sports, whatever with like minded liberals and progressives. Hope to see you there! any questions just drop a line in the comments.
Utah Republicans are Teh Funny
This article really is a goldmine of material. You think it'll get stale towards the end but the hits keep on coming.
Don Larsen, chairman of legislative District 65 for the Utah County Republican Party, had submitted a resolution warning that Satan's minions want to eliminate national borders and do away with sovereignty.
Wow! Now that's a new line of anti-immigrant paranoia. But it's obviousyl related to the "New World Order" conspiracymongers. Two great tastes that taste great together!
In a speech at the convention, Larsen told those gathered that illegal immigrants "hate American people" and "are determined to destroy this country, and there is nothing they won't do."
Illegal aliens are in control of the media, and working in tandem with Democrats, are trying to "destroy Christian America" and replace it with "a godless new world order -- and that is not extremism, that is fact," Larsen said.
At the end of his speech, Larsen began to cry, saying illegal immigrants were trying to bring about the destruction of the U.S. "by self invasion."
yes. illegal immigrants hate Americans. That's why they come here in droves to make a better life for their family. Because they hate us. And what did I say about "new world order"? Damn can I call it or what?
Of course it's not extremist Mr. Larsen. Of course not. It's fucking crazy.
Republican officials then allowed speakers to defend and refute the resolution. One speaker, who was identified as "Joe," said illegal immigrants were Marxist and under the influence of the devil. Another, who declined to give her name to the Daily Herald, said illegal immigrants should not be allowed because "they are not going to become Republicans and stop flying the flag upside down. ... If they want to be Americans, they should learn to speak English and fly their flag like we do."
ohhhhh they're Marxist!! Yes, we always need the Commie insult flying around. And I love the idea that immigration should be determined by what party the immigrant will join. How... American.
Greene said she was disappointed in BYU professors who protested Dick Cheney's visit to campus, calling them "self-appointed intellectuals."
This is America!! We should.... elect.. our intellectuals? Oh wait. That makes no sense. But don't those professors know that Dick Cheney is a great man who should never be criticized? You're either with The Dick or you are against him.
Oh there's some more fun in there but I'll stop. Too much. I gotta say I'm glad I don't live in Utah where the Republicans ar ea special brand of crazy and the beer is watered down.
Link & Video Dump
I've gathered some links and videos, some political, most silly. Lazy blogging.
So to me Global Warming is like Truth or Dare:
TRUTH: We can either keep Global Warming in the news and convince people the truth is the planet is warming and we as humans might be causing Global Warming by pumping tons of CO2 into the atmosphere daily so let’s keep the momentum going to educate people about this problem and slowly eliminate the use of fossil fuels.
Or DARE: We can do nothing and DARE to find out what happens if we don’t fix this problem.
By the same author: Global Warming News
---
Identification requirements often sound simple. But some types of paperwork simply aren't available to many Americans. We saw this with the new Medicaid proof-of-citizenship requirement, which led to benefits being cut off for many longtime citizens. Some states insist that voters provide photo IDs such as driver's licenses. But at least 11 percent of voting-age Americans, disproportionately elderly and minority voters, lack the necessary papers. Required documentation such as naturalization paperwork can cost as much as $200. By contrast, when the poll tax was declared unconstitutional in 1966, it was $1.50 ($8.97 in 2007 dollars).
---
A student has been suspended from school in America for coming to class dressed as a pirate.
...
Bryan Killian says that he follows the Pastafarian religion, and that as a crucial part of his faith, he must wear 'full pirate regalia' as prescribed in the holy texts of Pastafarianism.
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If you thought the Kirk Cameron/Bananas Are Proof Of God video was funny/ridiculous/frightening, get a load of this - Peanut butter is proof that evolution isn't true:
I... there's so much wrong with this it's difficult to even begin. But the comments on the YouTube page are marvelous.
"They need to do a Wonder Bread segment. Then we could discuss the whole peanut butter and banana sandwich trinity. Anyone?"
...
"Correct me if I'm wrong, but I don't think the Earth was made of peanut butter 3-4 billion years ago."
...
"wasn't that was the reason for the Peter Pan Recall?
...
"When they fill the peanut putter can with a dense soup of hydrocarbons with a layer of dense carbon dioxide laden atmosphere above, zap it with large bolts of electrical energy regularly, and let it sit for a couple billion years, then we'll talk."
And now to the silly...
New Beers Eve
So I didn't get to all 8 of them on New Years Eve, but I did drink 4 of them and will try to remember enough to 'review' them here. I'll get to the other four soon I hope.
- Bornem Double Abbey Ale
Beer Advocate Review (I think it's this one but there appears to be some confusion. 85)
Ohhhhh this was EXCELLENT. I loved it. Had a light, almost fizzy, quality to it. Not over hoppy or malty. Just a very light, refreshing beer. Would DEFINTIELY buy again (and probably will soon). 8 out of 10. - Breckenridge Oatmeal Stout
Beer Advocate review 82
Eh. Pretty weak for a stout. Tasted almost watery and didn't have that heavy taste that I normally like from my stouts. There are much better oatmeal stouts out there (especially Samuel Smith's Oatmeal Stout). 4 out of 10. - Morland Hen's Tooth Bottle Conditioned English Ale
Beer Advocate review 81
Pretty nice! Quite malty, very smooth with a really rich aftertaste. I thought it actually started tasting better as it warmed up a bit. A fun beer to try and mayeb have now and then. 7 out of 10. - Nine G Brewing Infidel Imperial IPA (an Indiana beer! from South Bend)
Beer Advocate review 85
Ohhhh now THAT is a beer! VERY hoppy with a great bitter hops kick to it. I adored this beer, and it's an Indiana beer to boot! 9 out of 10.
New Years Eve Beers
So tonight is New Years eve. Party at CJ's. Poker and spaghetti. And for my New Years I picked up some beers I've never tried before (save one that I just like alot and wanted again). I won't really be in a state to review them, especially like The Disgruntled Chemist does. But I will list the beers I'll be trying and I'll try to remember enough about them to at least give a thumbs up or down. I'll also include links to Beer Advocate reviews. (unfortunately you need a free account with BA to view the reviews. I'll post the BA score in case you don't want to get an account)
- Founder's Black Rye
Beer Advocate review 89
- Bornem Double Abbey Ale
Beer Advocate Review (I think it's this one but there appears to be some confusion. 85)
- Breckenridge Oatmeal Stout
Beer Advocate review 82
- Cooper's Brewery Sparkling Ale
Beer Advocate Review 82
- Morland Hen's Tooth Bottle Conditioned English Ale
Beer Advocate review 81
- Nine G Brewing Infidel Imperial IPA (an Indiana beer! from South Bend)
Beer Advocate review 85
- Boulder Beer Never Summer Ale
Beer Advocate review 85
- Lindemans Pomme Lambic
Beer Advocate review 84
We'll see what I think of them. I certainly won't be able to do the full on review of mouthfeel and nose and all that. But I will at least be able to remember if they were thumbs up and thumbs down and maybe even a scale of 1-10. Hope you all have a great New Year's Eve, and a happy New Year.
Drinking Liberally Election party
Be there or be SQUARE.
6pm-whenever
Spencer's Stadium Tavern
802 S. West St (SW Corner of West & McCarty)
Why You Should Come to the DL Election Night Party
Reasons you should come to the Drinking Liberally Election Night Party at Spencer's Stadium Tavern (6pm-whenever, 802 S. West St in Indianapolis)
- An owner who used to work for former Governor O'Bannon (D-Awesome, RIP)
- Not as stuffy as the official Indiana Democratic Party party downtown...
- ...and better beer. WAY better beer.
- Kick ass nachos and chili.
- Celebrate (hopefully) or mourn (please no!) with fellow Dems, liberals and progressives
- If Mark "Professor Chaos" Souder somehow loses in the 3rd District (a poll has him up 12 right now, still a surprising margin given the lack of name ID for Hayhurst and the supposedly safe district), I will buy everyone a (cheap) beer.
See you Tuesday!