What's on the Grill #285: Bastardized Grilled Chili

Although not readily apparent from the title, this dinner isn't exactly what it appears to be. In fact, this post isn't really about a recipe. It's about a process.

It's no secret I love to grill. Zoë knows it. My friends know it. The neighbors who drive by and see the backyard lit up like daylight at 9 o'clock at night know it. If dinner can be adapted to the grill, I'll adapt it. I want to take everything out of the kitchen and onto the back deck. Making chili is no different.

While some ingredients of chili can certainly be grilled, I look to use the grill as more of an oven. Yes, my chili can be made on the stove top, but it is ten times better when prepared in cast iron over glowing charcoal on the kettle.

The grill is prepped as a single zone medium fire allowing for both sautéing and simmering.

Ready the vegetables, then the rest of the ingredients and yes, beans.

When ready to simmer, leave the chill uncovered, but lower the lid. Use the vents to control air flow and temperature.  It needs time to cook.  At least an hour.

I'm not posting my chili recipe because well, I don't think it's that great. I love it, but it certainly isn't going to win any competitions. Besides, this post is not about my recipe, but about taking yours to the grill. No matter how it's made, or what it's made with.

Speaking of which, I almost forgot about the second most important point: the beer. Almost every chili recipe includes the use of a liquid and a lot of times the liquid is, or can be, beer. If the beer in your recipe is a fizzy yellow lager, it's not beer. It's water. Try something bigger. Go full "bastard," which, is exactly what I did.

To add liquid and flavor, try a big beer. For me, one of the biggest beers there is, is Stone's Arrogant Bastard. Even if the full on taste of a strong ale is not your thing, it works great in chili and with chili.

The open flames, smoke, and rich malty beer set the stage for one of the best pots of chili you will ever have. Next time dinner in the kitchen calls see if it can be adapted for the grill. It will make everything better. Promise.