Lizzie’s 1st place Chili Cook-off recipe and Lizzie’s 1st place Strawberry short cake recipe!

I have been asked to post the chili cook off recipe! I merged three different recipes I found. Here goes!

Ingredients:
1.5 lbs short rib (ground once)
1.5 lbs brisket (ground once)
6 slices of thick bacon, cubed
2 tbs vegetable oil, divided
1 yellow onion
3 garlic cloves
1 jalapeno (seeded and diced)
1 red bell pepper (roasted, seeded and diced)
2 poblano chilis (roasted, seeded and diced)
2.5 tablespoons chili powder
2 tablespoons smoked paprika
1.5 tablespoons ground cumin
1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon (China)
2 cups diced tomatoes (I used my moms canned tomatoes)
1.5 6 oz cans tomato paste
12 oz water
2 beef bouillon cubes
1 chicken bouillon cubes
1 15 oz can pino beans, with juices
1 15 oz can kidney beans, with juices
1 15 oz can black beans, drained
Garnish: Cheddar cheese (and crispy bacon, but I did not have time)

Directions:
1. In a large cast iron pot over medium heat and add oil. Season short ribs with salt and pepper and brown meat about 3 minutes. Remove from heat and drain meat.

2. Add ground brisket to pot and brown about 3 minutes. Put meat in strainer with short ribs – let drain. Set aside.

3. Put bacon in pot and cook to desired consistency. Add onion and garlic. Sauté for 3 minutes. Add peppers and season with salt and pepper. Sauté for 5 to 6 minutes.

4. Pour drained meats back into pot, add spices and sauté for 5 minutes.

5. Add tomatoes, tomato paste and stir. Reduce heat and add water, bouillon cubes and simmer for 1 hour. Add beans into the pot. Stir and adjust seasonings. (I did not add any more seasonings.)

6. Allow chili to simmer for 30 minutes (to 2 hours), adjust seasonings and serve. (I did not add more seasonings.)

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And now…Lizzie (and Alton’s) 1st place Strawberry Shortcake Recipe!

So I took Alton Brown’s recipe and made some minor changes. Here is what I did.

Ingredients:
2 cups flour
4 teaspoons baking powder
3/4 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon sugar (I made vanilla bean infused sugar….well, Doug did!)
2 tablespoons butter
2 tablespoons shortening
3/4 cup half and half
Melted butter to brush shortcakes
Strawberries (sliced and sugar soaked, refrigerated)

Directions:
1. Heat oven 450 degrees.

2. In a large mixing bowl, combine flour, baking powder, salt and sugar. Cut in butter and shortening. Mix in half-and-half. Drop by large spoonfuls onto a baking sheet.

3. Brush with melted butter and sprinkle with sugar. (I used large granules of brown sugar flavored with vanilla beans)

4. Bake for 15 minutes or until brown. Cool.

5. Whip up some whipped cream. Add vanilla flavored sugar to taste.

6. Combine whipped cream, shortcake and strawberries to make your mouth happy! I topped mine with a little more whipped cream and a strawberry!)

 

 

I hope this inspires you. I was honored to win both cook off categories! Pretty sure that will never happen again!

Love and Hugs, Lizzie