Killer Chili and The Best Baby Present
I used to be the sort of person who brought along a big teddy bear as a gift when I went to visit friends with new babies. Then I had a child of my own, and realized that nothing -- not even a blue Tiffany's box, and I speak from experience here -- does as much good for new parents as bringing along a meal. (Bonus points if you can hold the baby for a bit while the parents sit down and actually eat).
It doesn't have to be fancy. It doesn't even have to be homemade -- takeout works too.
I realized recently that, eight years after my son was born, I can gratefully remember every dish that every friend brought by in those chaotic, overwhelming early weeks. My friend from Trieste brought chicken and dumpling stew. College buddies came with fried chicken from Ezell's. My best friend from high school came with sushi and an appetizer of bread and Brie; all the things you're discouraged from eating when pregnant. I'm sure people also brought adorable outfits and stuffed animals, but I don't remember those.
We're lucky people: Friends recently descended on our home with meals again when our daughter was born. It reminded us all over again what a lifesaver a simple dinner can be. So we made sure, when we heard another friend had welcomed a newborn, to get our own act together enough to bring over food. (And, OK, one adorable outfit).
Our friends have bold palates and like spicy food, so we brought them a killer chili. (I got the recipe from Seattle chef John Howie years back, after realizing he made the city's best). If yours prefer gentler dishes (or don't want to eat spicy foods when nursing a baby, though that hasn't been an issue for us), try this mild chickpea-rice salad, which we also enjoyed on our "dinner train" this year. Otherwise, rejoice in preparing a gift your friends will remember -- and hey, this recipe makes a gallon, enough to save some or freeze a bunch for your own dinners too.
Note: The recipe looks intimidating, but once the ingredients are assembled it's a 2-step cinch. Make the task easier on yourself by asking your market to cut up the meat, and keep costs down by buying the spices at a market that sells them in bulk. It's fine to omit the habanero powder. If you can't find ancho powder, it's OK to omit that as well, but it really does add to the flavor. Do not, though, leave out the chipotle powder. Both chipotle and ancho chile powder are found in well-stocked markets.
John Howie's Texas Chili
Ingredients
1/2 cup canola oil
4 pounds white onion, diced
4 pounds chuck roast or other beef, diced in 3/4-inch by 1-inch pieces
1 pound pork, diced in 3/4-inch by 1-inch pieces
3 cups tomato sauce
2 1/2 cups pineapple juice
1 cup water
1/2 cup mild chili powder
1 tablespoon ancho chile powder
1 1/2 teaspoons chipotle chile powder
1/8 teaspoon habanero chile powder
1 1/2 tablespoons kosher salt
2 tablespoons granulated sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons ground basil
1 1/2 teaspoons granulated garlic
1 1/2 teaspoons sweet paprika
1 1/2 teaspoons ground coriander
1 1/2 teaspoons black pepper
1 1/2 teaspoons cumin
5 bay leaves
Directions:
1. Place oil in a large stock pot or braising pan. Add beef and onions in small batches and sear until the onions are tender.
2. Add remaining ingredients. Bring to a simmer and cook for three hours, stirring frequently.
Makes 1 gallon
-- Rebekah Denn
click here for more info on October 05, 2010 at 03:36 AM
That's indeed a very good point you have made about carrying some food to our friends with a baby. I had some similar experience when I carried some sushi and some cake, they were indeed thankful for this. I liked the preparation method of the Texas Chili, I would love to give it a try and see if it turns out to be good, as this will prove quite useful for a person like me who is most often on the move.
Julie Holmes on October 05, 2010 at 06:40 AM
Taking a meal to someone who has just had a baby is a wonderful thing to do. I know I appreciated all of them. The ladies in our church make a sign up sheet and for two weeks, we were lavished with food. I was so grateful!! One thing you want to be careful of is if the mother is breast-feeding. Anything spicy or gassy will upset the little one's tummy too!!