Florida Tailgate Chili

Today was chili cookoff day at the college.  As a member of the Library team, Los Locos Libros, five years ago, we won this contest using my recipe.  

 I hiked over to the Continuing Corporate Education building with my two tickets in hand to partake in the annual customary eating of said chili, and to my surprise, there wasn't a whole lot left. Scraping the bottoms of three crockpots, I was able to come up a fairly nice size bowl of chili. A greenish looking one which was great, and two other red chilis that were mild. My biker bro Joel won the contest this year and not a morsel to sample.  I can see the early bird hogsters put a hurtin' on the chili.  There was at least a dozen crock-pots but most were empty.  Guess it is easier to sell tickets than to actually put the meat out there.  Where's the beef? 

The purpose of the event is to raise money for The American Cancer Society and I do believe it was a success! 

This is my recipe from back when we won this thing:

 

 

FLORIDA TAILGATE CHILI

INGREDIENTS:

1 round roast large (I used two for the contest)

Peppers—3 anchos (this is what gives it the flavor), 8 Jalapeños, Cayenne (if available—this gives it a mystic quality) bell pepper--green and red, sprinkle crushed red pepper

Two onions—I used Spanish but yellow is OK, just use more.

12 to 15 large tomatoes (go to a Mexican produce stand and buy 4 or 5 baskets of the $1.00 a basket ready to cook really ripe tomatoes.  Cut the stems out, chop them into 8 pieces and throw them in a blender.)

2 28oz. cans diced tomatoes

1 cans tomato paste

2 cans Ranch beans—must be “Ranch” brand

1 lime

1 bunch of cilantro—Mexican parsley

Red wine vinegar

4 or 5 cloves of garlic

Oil, vegetable—enough to cover bottom of pan

Salt

In large Dutch oven, heat vegetable oil.  Remove all fat from roast—should be able to slice it off all at once. Slice roast against the grain in very thin strips then cut into pieces—different sizes.  Add to pot stirring with a wooden spoon.  Brown the meat quickly on high, then start pouring in tomatoes from the blender. Add cans of diced tomatoes. 

Chop onions, green and red (if you have a red one) peppers and add to pot.  Chop 3 or 4 jalapenos with seeds crossways in slices.  Seed the rest and chop finely—don’t rub your eyes.  Cut up ancho peppers with scissors--or knife, like me--into small pieces and add to the chili—throw out most of the seeds but they will not hurt it.   Add 1 cayenne for mystical health reasons. 

Add the rest of ingredients, a couple of good shakes of vinegar, quarter to half cup of cilantro, lime and a good pour of salt—I know, its not good for you, but at least use some.  Put the beans in last and squeeze the lime in there too.  Stir easy.  Cook for at least an hour.

Happy Biking New Year

Miles are quickly adding up this new year.  I changed my 200mm rear tire down on the Keys during Phil Peterson's Poker Run to Key West, and just changed my front 21in.  Feels good to have a fresh oil change and new rubber on the asphalt.

As a Christmas present, I finally broke down and purchased a new helmet with flip-up face shield--actually, the first one I have ever had. It's a Jet II from Harley Davidson.  It didn't take long to get used to the comfy, snuggly fit. The first bug that bounced off of it sounded like an aluminum bat making contact with a softball.  Ping! It also muffles the sound of my pipes which have Rush mufflers on them.  The reason I bought it was for winter riding.  Believe it or not, it can get to freezing here in Florida.  The coldest day so far this year was riding in at 38 degrees F. My face was fine with my windshield on and the face shield down on the helmet. The only thing that was cold were my hands. Definitely need a solution for that. I've been looking at dual powered gloves, battery and wired in. They are ridiculously expensive, at 200 dollars. I'll probably just go with a heavier glove.  One good thing about the FXST I ride are the grips and levers which allow for a large glove while still offering control.



Jet II



It's easy to get spoiled with this helmet.  I thought I would be claustrophobic in it, but that is not the case.  My first ride was without my windshield on the forks and it was a great!  The face shield flips up and I suggest wearing sunglasses inside, just for further protection. You can ride with the shield in the up position if you like with no ill effects.  During foggy mornings, the shield does accumulate condensation, but after a while of riding in the up position it clears itself.  I love the feel of the wind in my face with just a half helmet, but for serious commuting it makes sense to have this 3/4 helmet with flip-up shield. Helmets are not required in Florida, but for my daily commute, which is a 50 mile round trip, I think helmets are a good idea. Plus, since I work at a college, I think it sets a better example for students--just my thoughts.

I'm really looking forward to heading to Daytona this year for bike week, which for the first time ever, coincides with our Spring Break, the week we are off.  I'm going to try and at least plan on staying in a tent if I can strap it on the back of the bike. It can be cold in Daytona during March.  I'm hoping that some of my peeps on twitter can meet up while I'm up there. You can follow me on twitter @softailrich. 

Well here's to the new year. Safe travels, and I wish you all prosperity and fun journeys in the new year! Rich.