Grill

Is it any wonder chili cook-offs and contest abound? And doesn’t everyone have a treasured family recipe or special secret ingredient for this all-American favorite stew? A good chili is a culinary art, and like a salsa dance, there's no one-way or wrong way to do it. It's all a matter of cultural preference, personality, taste and style, not to mention the quality of ingredients and what's handy in the spice cabinet. <br /> <br />Some like it mild and sweet. Some like it incendiary. Personally, I like my chili lean and meaty, a balance of just enough spice and heat to make the flavor dark and complex. <br /> <br />My recipe? A fusion of Cincinnati and Texas, based on “Hell’s Kitchen Chili” out of The New Basics Cookbook, by Silver Palate authors, Julee Ross & Sheila Lukins. Kick it up a notch and start with a sirloin steak seared on the grill in a dry rub of spiced cocoa and expresso. <br /> <br />Chili facts: <br />Did you know? The hot in hot peppers all comes down to a chemical called capsaicin. Capsaicin is produced by chili peppers as an irritant to mammals. In humans, the response causes a release of endorphins, which might explain why we find pleasure, or even crave, that nose-clearing burning sensation of food that warms the insides all the way down. <br /> <br />Believe it or not, chili can also be good for the heart. The beans make it a good source of fiber, and the tomatoes are rich in antioxidant, inflammatory-fighting lycopene. Keep it lean and low-sodium, skip the taco chips and toppings, and you have a yourself a healthy, guilt-free cup of pure goodness.

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