By: DairyFreeGina
February 24th — put it on your calendar because it’s National Chili Day !
You can never go wrong with a bowl of chili ! Chili is great for an easy weeknight meal that can be made ahead, and usually better tasting the next day after the flavors have had time to meld. Chili is also an easy dish to make for guests and great for tailgating . Plus it can all be made in one pot or crockpot, making for easy cleanup !
Chili is a versatile dish that be be made mild or spicy and ingredients can be customized for your taste palette. Most chili recipes include peppers, tomatoes, spices. Early recipes did not include beans but most modern day recipes do. Chili is an easy dish to make vegan and great served with a salad, cornbread, or over rice or spaghetti.
Chili’s roots go back to the American West, particularly the state of Texas. Legend has it that immigrants from the Canary Islands brought the recipe for chili with them to San Antonio where they settled in the early 1700’s .Before World War 2, small family run chili parlors were found throughout Texas and other states. Each claimed its own exclusive chili recipe.
No wonder this popular dish is honored with it’s own day!
Check out some fun chili facts (from NationalChiliday.com) and a roundup of my favorite chili recipes
A green chili pod has as much vitamin C as six oranges
Some cultures put chili powder in their shoes to keep their feet warm
The first chili cook-off took place in 1967 in Terlinga, Texas, a border town about 400 miles west of chili’s alleged birthplace, San Antonio. It ended in a tie between a native Texan and a New Yorker, but chili cook-offs are still held there today
Hot chili peppers burn calories by triggering a thermodynamic burn in the body, which speeds up the metabolism
Chili pepper color is a function of ripeness. Green peppers are usually not fully ripe and the same pepper could be green, yellow, orange, or red depending on its level of ripeness
And now for the recipes – Click on the recipe name for the recipe !
3 Bean Chili -a hearty chili that packs a fiber and protein punch from the three different beans that are added to it.
Butternut Squash Chili – unique chili recipe that will warm you up on a cold night.
JP’s Chili-sweet and savory and easy to make
Pumpkin Chili – a recipe that will amp up your chili game !
What’s your favorite way to eat chili? Share in our comments section. And if you like this post please share with friends via email and social media.
Copyright @DairyFreeGina . Please do not reproduce or publish this article or portions of it without the written permission of DairyFreeGina.
DairyFreeGina is allergic to milk and lamb, and eats vegan and gluten free. Gina is a life long fitness enthusiast, runner and dancer who is passionate about talking food, nutrition, health and exercise. Gina loves cats big and small, calls Disney World her 2nd home– and often blogs on these topics too
