Party Cricket Chili
Looking for that perfect food to serve to the crew when you’re watching the big game? Thanks to Brad for this absolutely DEEElicious recipe for Cricket Chili that has the perfect blend of flavours… your mouth will dance with delight! Brad is a modern day pirate. For real! Check out his Cricket Chili post, and make sure to check out his website.
Ingredients
Chili Powder (This makes extra)
- 3 Chipotle Pepper or Ancho
- 3 Morita Chiles or Cascabel
- 3 Arbol Chile or Bird’s Eye
- 2 tbsp Cumin Seeds Pestle & Mortar it down to a powder
- 2 tbsp Garlic Powder Do not use Garlic Salt
- 1 tbsp Dried Mexican Oregano
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1 tbsp ground coffee
Main Ingredients
- 1/4 cup Avocado Oil
- 1 large Sweet Onion Diced
- 1 Red Pepper Diced
- 1 medium Carrot Diced
- 2 Celery Diced
- 4 Garlic Cloves Diced
- 2 tbsp chili powder Sometimes I’ll add one extra scoop
- 2 28 oz Fire Roasted Diced Tomatoes
- 1 14 oz Chick Peas Rinsed and drained
- 1 28 oz Red Kidney Beans Rinsed and drained
- 1 28 oz Black Beans Rinsed and drained
- 1 Whole lime juiced
- 2 tbsp Cricket Powder or 50 to 70% cocoa powder (Mix both is an option too)
- 2 tbsp Cricket Powder or 50 to 70% cocoa powder (Mix both is an option too)
- 2 Cups Vegetable Stock NOTE: Only add if the chili is too thick.
- Salt and Pepper to Taste
- Garnishes Chopped cilantro, sliced or diced avocado, cheese and sour cream
- 1.5 oz Optional: Tequila – Anejo
Directions
Chili Powder
- If it makes you feel better go ahead and dry-roast your whole spices first in a pan. Personally I think it has no value enhancing the flavour, if anything you risk burning and you will modify the original attributes. I will admit when the spice hits the pan with some heat you can smell it more intensely…maybe that’s the only value.
- Depending how hot you like it. Remove all the seeds, keep all of them or some. I use about 1/3 of seeds and toss into the pot.
- Chop the peppers and put them into a grinder and bring to a dust.
- Add all other spice items and mix. Put in a tightly sealed container or jar for up to six months.
Chili
- On a medium-high pan. Add oil, then Onion, Celery, Red Pepper, Carrot and Garlic. Sauté till onions start to turn translucent.
- Add in Chili powder and coat all the vegetables for about a minute then remove from heat.
- Add all the other ingredients into your pot and simmer. Don’t boil your chili….what are you British? lol
- At some point you’re going to need to start adding salt till you’re happy with the results.
- I like to use a blitzer in the chili just a little to get the visual look that I like. Or about 1/4 of your batch just put in a blender then return back to the pot is just as effective.
- Add the Tequila if you so dare!