Bean selection for a chili recipe
I am planning on making a new chili using grilled venison, Great Lakes Black Out Stout, and roasted corn (I'm in Ohio and sweet corn is getting good right now). My least favorite part of making and eating chili is the beans; I hate selecting them and pick around them in my bowl. (I will probably also be using chiles en adobo, serranos, and roasted jalapenos/tien tsin as my pepper trinity.)
The only ones I do actually like are black beans. What would your recommendations be for a good bean, both in choice and preparation to pair with the ingredients above? (Please include other ingredients or flavors to incorporate in the comments.) I want it to be dark and mysterious; typically I name things first and then build them up from there and this one I'm calling Bear's Den Chili (hopefully that will be a note to start you off with).
Best Answer
We make vegetarian chili every few months, and use a combination of many kinds of beans. You can use kidney, cannelini (white kidney beans), pinto, small red, small white, roman, etc. We like Goya's beans. If the meat is tough, you may want mushier beans to add textural difference, so you might want to avoid black beans or black-eyed peas. (Unless they're your favorite, of course!)
Pictures about "Bean selection for a chili recipe"
What kind of beans go in chili?
The best beans for chili, however, are pinto, kidney, and black beans. You can use other types of beans in chili, but think about what you like in yours. Most people wouldn't put green beans or chickpeas in their chili, for example. Generally, cooks use pinto beans for making chili.What beans can I substitute for kidney beans in chili?
Cannellini beans are tender and nutty and can easily replace red kidney beans in chili, soups and any other recipe that calls for those beans.Do you use light or dark kidney beans for chili?
Dark Red Kidney Beans are large, kidney-shaped beans with a deep, glossy red skin. They have a firm texture, and they hold up well in soups or other dishes that cook for a long time. Dark red kidney beans are used in soups, cold bean salads, and chili.What is the secret ingredient to good chili?
Cinnamon. The beauty of ground cinnamon is that it brings a warmth to your chili, without being spicy. It works well with other flavors commonly found in chili (like tomato, cumin and chile powder) so you only need a little bit to achieve the desired balance.More answers regarding bean selection for a chili recipe
Answer 2
I thought I hated chili growing up because my mother made it with straight kidney beans. I was pleasantly surprised to marry into a family where the family chili recipe uses chili beans - kidney beans in a spicy sauce. This family chili recipe has won an office chili cook-off, and I think it is in large part due to the can of chili beans. I know it's a classic, but I think it would work well with your chili.
I'd also suggest cumin and a generous amount of chili powder. Your chili will be even better if the chili powder is homemade.
Answer 3
One of my new favorite beans to use in chili is a relative of the cranberry bean, called Tongues of Fire. A slightly meaty bean, they are terrific but I have only seen them dried in specialty grocers. Beware! They seem to take a long time to soak before using.
I have used and do love pinto, kidney, black, and great northern and navy beans in my chili, not necessarily all at once.
Answer 4
The beans are always my favorite part of chili and I usually use several varieties. My favorites are black as they stay chewy longer, small red because of the smooth texture without being as big as kidney, and black eyed peas because they look interesting. I'm not a big fan of pinto.
You might try the blackeyed peas or half blackeyed and black beans. The color may fit your theme. It sounds like you won't be featuring them as much as I do in my chili so the flavor of the bean is irrelevant it won't be noticeable. It's the texture and color you want.
Sources: Stack Exchange - This article follows the attribution requirements of Stack Exchange and is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.
Images: Monstera, Nikita Krasnov, Valeria Boltneva, Dmitriy Ganin