a fun event took place.  Our ward’s second annual chili cook-off occurred on October 21.  Thrilled that it happened for a second year – with bishoprics and Relief Society presidencies both having changed this last year.  Our bishop and counselors this time were also good sports and along with their wives gave beautiful performances as the “Squeeky Cheeks”.  A fine musical group with colorful bow-ties that played rousing renditions of ol’ time favorite songs – with their instruments of choice…balloons.  Sometimes the silly fun that causes tears to run down your face can be so bonding and downright enjoyable.

We once again tied two quilts and had a wonderful evening.

I decided to enter a new kind of chili (because I was feeling dangerous, spontaneous and decided – what’s to lose? – except the candy bar prize I suppose.  Luckily it paid off.  ;) ).  Introducing:

Buffalo Chicken Chili

I heard about Rachael Ray’s recipe and checked it out.  I’m sure it’s yummy, but I didn’t have some of the ingredients and I wasn’t too sure about lots of celery in a chili – although I do love bleu cheese.  And no beans?  I just couldn’t do it.  So instead I took my basic recipe:

Chili

Put four cups of beans in crock-pot.  Fill water to within an inch of the top of crock-pot.  Add palm-ful of salt, 3 oz. chili powder, 2 cloves of garlic, 3 liberal shakes Chicago Steak Seasoning by Weber, small handful dried onions and a dash of crushed red pepper.  Cook for 6-7 hours.  Throw in 1/4 lb. browned ground beef and tomatoes or salsa.

…And then substituted using 3 kinds of beans (white, pinto and red kidney) instead of just pinto as usual.  I then added a whole bunch of hot sauce, chicken chunks, and a little more hot sauce.

Ready for my award?  (we won’t talk about the fact that about half the pots of chili there win prizes.  ;) )

That’s right!  Thankfully I didn’t eat but a small nibble of my chili that night – there were too many other yummy ones to taste!  Not sure I would have wanted that result.  :)

And the inside of the prize:

yum.

Maybe I’ll have to try a dessert chili next year…