Gluten Free Meat Chili

Chili comes in all kinds of flavors and varieties, each offering a unique taste experience that can cater to a wide range of palates. From the rich and hearty flavors of traditional beef chili, which often includes a combination of spices like cumin, chili powder, and paprika, to the lighter and more refreshing options like chicken or vegetarian chili that incorporate beans, tomatoes, and a medley of vegetables, the possibilities are endless. There are also regional variations, such as the spicy and smoky flavors found in Texas chili, which typically emphasizes meat and excludes beans, contrasting with the sweeter and milder styles often found in the Midwest. Additionally, chili can be customized with various toppings like shredded cheese, sour cream, jalapeños, and fresh cilantro, further enhancing its flavor profile. The versatility of chili allows it to be adapted to different dietary preferences, whether one is looking for a vegan option, a gluten-free recipe, or a spicy rendition that packs a punch. Each bowl of chili tells a story of its ingredients, preparation methods, and cultural influences, making it a beloved dish across diverse communities. I have celiac disease so everything I make for myself is always gluten free. The best thing about chili is that it can be different every time you make it or you can follow a recipe exactly for it to have your favorite familiar flavor.

Peppers are the starting point for a flavorful chili.

Chop 1-2 jalapenos depending on your spice tolerance. Chop 5-6 mini red and orange peppers.

Saute peppers and an onion. Did you know you can saute vegetables in oil or water? Oil will add much more flavor.

The best way to impart extra bold flavor is to season throughout the cooking process. For chili, you want to add your seasonings right after your vegetables are done cooking. Season and cook for 1-2 minutes before adding in the broth and cooked meats. After you add the cooked meats then add more seasoning. This will produce a bold and extra rich flavor profile. I use a variety of different meats to bring out different textures and flavors. It is also more economical to feed a family of five with varied meats. Beef is incredibly expensive right now, but my family still needs to eat. Chicken and turkey are two meats that take on other flavor profiles very nicely. I also shop at Aldi to get the best value for my money.

Gluten free all meat chili recipe:

2 jalapenos

3 mini red peppers

3 mini orange peppers

1 onion

1 lb. hot sausage

1 lb. mild sausage

1 lb. chorizo

1 lb. beef

1 lb. chicken

1 lb. turkey

2.5 cups beef broth

1 cup chicken broth

1/2 cup hot sauce

Seasoning:

I use a lot of seasoning because I like my food to be filled with flavor. You can season to your own discretion. I typically don't measure seasoning either so these are rough estimates but fairly close to what I use.

1/2 cup chili seasoning

1/2 cup cumin

1/2 cup garlic powder

1/2 cup paprika

1/4 cup salt

1/4 cup ground black pepper

1/2 cup oregano

1/4 cup onion powder

3 tbsp. cayenne pepper

Steps:

1.) Cut vegetables into bite sized pieces. Saute over medium heat until translucent.

2.) Brown meat in separate pan and drain grease. A helpful hint for draining grease is to use a paper towel to soak up the grease so it is more easily disposable. You will clog your drain if you drain grease in the sink because grease hardens.

3.) Add seasonings to sauteed vegetables and stir for 1-2 minutes until it becomes aromatic.

4.) Add 1.5 cups of broth and simmer until the vegetables soak up most of the broth.

5.) Add cooked meat, rest of broth, hot sauce and a spoonful or a good shake of all the seasonings.

6.) Simmer on low for at least an hour. 2-3 hours really emphasizes all of the flavors.

I serve this with gluten free biscuits or gluten free jalapeno cornbread. Enjoy!

How to take a better picture with natural lighting.

Lighting is everything when it comes to photography. I have two charcuterie boards taken on the same board and in the same house at the same time of day. One was taken in a room with an overhead light on and one was taken by the window with natural light coming through. The first pic was very scrumptious, but you can clearly see the harsh unnatural light being reflected on several pieces of fruit and vegetables.

This is the second picture. I took this by a window that had natural light coming through. You can see the difference in the quality of the picture. It is also important to note a few other key differences between these two pictures. The backgrounds are different. You will always get a better picture for lighting with a white background. Just use what you have on hand. For the second picture, I used tissue paper that is supposed to be for presents. Something else to note is that I always post edit my pictures. What does that mean? Well, for me, that means that I go into photoshop express which is a completely free app (it probably has in-app purchases, but I don't ever need to use them) and I typically do two things. The first thing I do is adjust the brightness and contrast. I like my pictures to be crisp and clear. Brightness allows for that additional lighting for your pictures. Contrast allows your items to pop. The second thing I do is adjust the saturation and vibrance just a little. I have often found that pictures don't accurately portray what my eye sees. When I look at a plate of fruit or vegetables, I see bright vibrant colors and I want my pictures to reflect that. So, I don't really do too much post editing. Also, everything I do in editing is attainable from every person with a phone. It typically takes me just a few minutes to add a little brightness, contrast and saturation/vibrance to my pictures. You can see they look vastly different.

Helpful lighting tip number one: Use natural lighting when the sun is out if you are indoors. The best time to take pictures outside is two hours before sunset. That's the golden hour for photography. It doesn't have to be a big space or even a dedicated space. I took the second picture by my back door because that is where the natural lighting is the best in my house. Find a spot that works for you.

Helpful lighting tip number two: Get near a window or outside light source and use a white cloth over the area so that you can get the natural light without the harsh shadows. A white cloth can come in many different forms. You could use a sheet, a thin plastic table cloth from the Dollar Tree, a towel, a pillowcase, etc. It doesn't have to be expensive and there is likely already something in your house that you can use. You got this!

Spreading Charcuterie Love!

Guess what? I love working with food and I love making food look pretty! Charcuterie boards, spaces, tables and all things charcuterie are coming your way! Want to know how to make beautiful flowers out of meat and cheese? What about where to place food so it's eye catching? Well, come along on the journey. I'll teach you how! In the future of course...because today I am just going to give you the pretty pictures to look at. Aren't these Valentine charcuterie boxes just the cutest?! I think so too. Check back for the tutorial on how to make delicious ingredients shine. Oh, I almost forgot! Who loves trifles? I have a video of a luscious lemon blueberry trifle with pretty pictures on the way too!