October 1 marks the beginning of National Chili Month, and the timing fits. Cooler evenings are settling in, and a pot of something hearty on the stove starts to sound a lot better than it did a few weeks ago.
Chili has roots in the Spanish, Mexican, and Tejano cooking traditions of the Southwest, where meat and chiles had long been cooked together in deeply flavored stews. Long before it became a national comfort food, versions of the dish were already part of the region's food culture.
By the 19th century, chili con carne had become closely associated with San Antonio. The Chili Queens sold steaming bowls in the city's plazas, helping introduce the dish to visitors and travelers. Its reputation spread well beyond Texas, and by the 1893 World's Fair in Chicago, chili was being presented to a national audience.
Since then, chili has branched into countless regional and household variations. Beef chile con carne keeps the focus on meat and chiles, Hatch green chile with pork brings a Southwestern character, and chicken chili offers a lighter direction.
This week, those three versions show just how much range a single bowl of chili can have.
Rancher's Texas Chili
Chunks of beef simmer with ancho and chipotle chiles, poblano peppers, garlic, tomato sauce, and warm spices for a thick, deeply flavored chili with plenty of heat and richness.
Hatch Pork Green Chili
Pork shoulder, Hatch green chiles, onion, spices, chicken stock, enchilada sauce, and a splash of beer simmer into a rich green chili with plenty of Southwestern character.
Le Creuset Dutch Oven
This large enameled cast iron Dutch oven holds steady heat for chili, braises, soups, and other long-simmered dishes. Its 7.25-quart capacity offers plenty of room for family meals, batch cooking, and generous portions.
White Chicken Chili
Shredded chicken, Great Northern beans, green chiles, corn, and warm spices give this chili plenty of flavor without the weight of a traditional beef version. Puréed beans and sour cream add a creamy finish.
Lancaster Cherry Wood Spoon Set
Hand-carved cherry wood gives these spoons the strength to handle thick chili, ground meat, and heavy stirring while staying gentle on enameled cast iron and other cookware surfaces.
