It may not be the Best Chili in Fenspace (that's such a subjective thing, in any case, especially with chili), but the Banzai Institute's Dark Chili of the Sith is one of the most distinctive. Several variations exist, but the original concept was developed by Blue Blazers Sensei, Bane, and Philosopher Bob, who came up with it several years before the Diaspora. Blackstone brought the recipe with him when he and the others moved into the Bunkhouse, and he trots it out from time to time.
The name comes from the starter roux, which consists of bacon grease, masa flour, the bacon itself (fried until super crispy and then ground into a powder), chipotle chilis, and adobo. The resulting concoction makes for a dark stock that the tomatoes that are later added does appreciably lighten. The final product is about the color of a bar of dark chocolate (especially if baker's chocolate is added, as is sometimes the case), rather than the more conventional brownish-red. Beans are usually cooked separately, rather than being added to the chili, due to the long-running rivalry between chili aficionados about the necessity of legumes in their chili.
Various rumors abound about the Dark Chili. Blackstone claims that it has restorative powers, and will often make a batch to "purge bad humours" from the Bunkhouse or its residents. Other Blazers claim that it will cure everything from male pattern baldness to urinary infections. Still others claim that it doubles as a paint thinner or engine degreaser. There is no denying that the amount of capsacin present in the chili can clear the sinuses, but any supposed medicinal (or other) value is apocryphal. Most agree that it's pretty good chili, whatever the case, even if it has a tendency to tend towards the extemely spicy.
The Dark Chili is not cheap to make, sometimes requiring a trip down to Earth to get the appropriate meat and/or spices. Pots of it are usually saved for special occasions, because they take a while to prepare (usually between 2 and 4 hours, depending on the cook, but it can go longer for larger batches).
Ebony the Black Dragon
http://ebony14.livejournal.com
"Good night, and may the Good Lord take a Viking to you."
The name comes from the starter roux, which consists of bacon grease, masa flour, the bacon itself (fried until super crispy and then ground into a powder), chipotle chilis, and adobo. The resulting concoction makes for a dark stock that the tomatoes that are later added does appreciably lighten. The final product is about the color of a bar of dark chocolate (especially if baker's chocolate is added, as is sometimes the case), rather than the more conventional brownish-red. Beans are usually cooked separately, rather than being added to the chili, due to the long-running rivalry between chili aficionados about the necessity of legumes in their chili.
Various rumors abound about the Dark Chili. Blackstone claims that it has restorative powers, and will often make a batch to "purge bad humours" from the Bunkhouse or its residents. Other Blazers claim that it will cure everything from male pattern baldness to urinary infections. Still others claim that it doubles as a paint thinner or engine degreaser. There is no denying that the amount of capsacin present in the chili can clear the sinuses, but any supposed medicinal (or other) value is apocryphal. Most agree that it's pretty good chili, whatever the case, even if it has a tendency to tend towards the extemely spicy.
The Dark Chili is not cheap to make, sometimes requiring a trip down to Earth to get the appropriate meat and/or spices. Pots of it are usually saved for special occasions, because they take a while to prepare (usually between 2 and 4 hours, depending on the cook, but it can go longer for larger batches).
Ebony the Black Dragon
http://ebony14.livejournal.com
"Good night, and may the Good Lord take a Viking to you."