Catharsis in the Kitchen

Every once in a while I like to get out a huge stock pot and put together a mean Chili Con Carne, why? Well I think I have recently discovered that cooking in this way (which I shall get into later) is very theraputic. In the same way that a casserole or a stew is conceived so is the Chili, a group of ingredients that if added just right can create something really special.

Now dont take this as some misguided metaphor for ending world hunger and bringing harmony to the universe because I dont expect that actions in my kitchen will have any impact on the outside world. However the act of making something greater than the sum of its parts is something very special indeed, be it with food or with people what you have essentially created, if you get things just right, is unique, intangible and unquantifyable.

I can fully understand how some people get carried away with this, the Chili cookoff is big in the States. Groups of Chili enthusiasts get together and set up stalls with their very own interpretations of the classic dish, drawing inspiration from anywhere and everywhere, using beer instead of stock, different types of chilis, the use of venison or turkey instead of beef etc, the list is endless.

But why do I feel it is theraputic? I guess I figure if I can put a little bit of myself into something as small as a recipie for chili con carne and get such tasty results then there is limitless potential when applying those skills to other areas. A warming thought indeed. Try putting a little passion into something in your life, look at it in a different way and make it your own. Start with a chili, go nuts!

... And for those of you who are interested the recipie for the one I cooked today is as follows:

750g Pork Ribs
500g Turkey Breast Steaks
1 V Large Onion
5 Cloves of Garlic
2 Cans of Kidney Beans
2 Large Green Peppers
2 Tbsp Cumin
2 Tsp Oregano
2 Cups Chicken Stock
2 Tins of Good Quality Chopped Tomatoes
2 Tbsp TOmato Puree
1/4 Bottle of Tabasco
8 Birdseye chilis

Fry the onions and garlic in olive oil, soften and add the green peppers. Add the cumin, oregano, chilis and then the pork ribs. Brown these nicely. Add the kidney beans (including the water from the cans) the tomatoes, the puree and the chicken stock. Add salt, pepper and nthe Tobasco. Give it a nice big stir and place in a 150 degrees C preheated oven. Leave partially covered (I covered in foil and pricked some holes in it) for 1 hour 20 mins.
In the mean time chop of the turkey in to square chunks and place in the chili once the time is up. Mix then place in the oven for another 1/2 hour at the same heat.

And here's one I made earlier: