Oh boy! I was really excited to show you my chili last night! And more than that, I was really excited to eat it! But I ended up sidelined with an awful stomachache. Although my stomachaches are better sice cutting out gluten, I still have my bad days. I was so focused on getting through dinner so that I could curl up on the couch, that I didn’t photograph my chili, didn’t blog about it, and hardly got to enjoy it, for that matter. 
Too bad, because it was really good! I can’t wait for the leftovers, when I can truly appreciate it!
I mentioned last night how I have been searching for the perfect chili for 7 years. Let me explain…. About 7 years ago, I went hiking on Mount Washington in New Hampshire with my aunt. We have gone on “adventures” together since I was really little, and this was just one in a long line of grand adventures.
Mount Washington, if you’ve never been there, it a tough hike. It’s a day long hike up and back. At the top, you can take a breather at a little touristy restaurant they have built up there for all of the people who have hiked or driven up to the summit (there is definitely something gratifying about walking in there all sweaty because you’ve hiked it, while all the other sweat-free drivers look clean and refreshed!).
We made it to the top in record time, huffing and puffing, but on the way down we met some other folks, and with all the talking, it took much longer. It was great fun, but when we got back to the car, it was getting dark and we were starving! We were also freeeeezing! Our original idea….to check into our cabin, shower, and then go out to dinner…..was replaced with, “we need food now and then we want to crash in our cabin and not come out ’til morning!”
We pulled into this little convenience store and picked up some chips, chocolate, and drinks. And then we saw it. A vat of convenience store chili! It may not sound enticing, but it was hot and we were hungry. Anything would have probably tasted exceptional at that point! The combination of needing warmth and needing food, made that chili the best I have ever had! Since then, I have tried bowl after bowl of chili, and none has come close to matching that convenience store chili! Until now….
Even with a raging stomachache, this chili was unbelievable! Although I was too uncomfortable to think about taking pictures last night, I dumped the leftovers into a bowl this morning so I could show you.
I followed Heather‘s recipe almost to a T, but I cut it in half. I knew Dave would eat it, but I also figured he wouldn’t be super excited about it. As it turned out, he did like it and now I wish I had more! It helped that he had crescent rolls on the side! 
This chili had:
- 1 can diced tomatoes
- 1 can mexican stewed tomatoes
- 1 can diced tomatoes with green chilies
- 1 can black beans
- 1 can of no salt-added corn, drained
- 1 1/3 cups Morningstar Farms veggie crumbles (tried to sneak that by Dave!)
- 1/2 packet of chili/taco seasoning
- 1/2 packet of Ranch salad dressing (I never would have thought of this Heather!)
- 1/2 red pepper and 1/2 onion diced (and cooked until soft)
All thrown into the crock pot…this couldn’t have been easier! This was the chili I’ve searched for and I will definitely be making it again!
I have class tonight from 5-10 pm so I will be back tomorrow. Have a great Wednesday!
Are there any foods that you have tried to find/recreate because they taste so good in your memory?
Ranch salad dressing…huh! That’s unique and I’m sure I’d love it as I have a (not so secret) obsession with ranch dressing!
I tried recreating coconut and almond Kind bars and they were a success! Thankfully because those things are beyond addicting!
Oh I’m so glad you liked it! I stole the ranch salad dressing from another recipe so I can’t take credit for it.
It is super simple – I’m glad even Dave liked it.
Enjoy your day!
I love chili… I have never made it at home.. YET.. but i plan to remedy that.
There are a couple dishes that my mom makes that I haven’t dared to make.. oh and her carrot cake.
that chili looks GREAT! i want it all the time when its cold!
I’m still on the hunt for my grandmothers choco chip cookies… so many recipes to try, just like chili!
I’m glad you both enjoyed it, what a great filling meal for this time of year. I never usually see corn in chili, but I love the color it adds.
That’s how I feel about my mom’s noodle pudding. I’m going to try to make it for the first time this time!
Thanks for sharing your adventure story with us. Great job climbing the mountain. I always laugh at people who put bumper stickers on their cars saying, “This car climbed Mt. Washington” I always wonder why they didn’t climb it…Anyway, your chili looks great and I hope you feel better soon!
Great sounding chili recipe! I bet the ranch packet adds some yummy flavor!! I crack up every time when I read about Dave and his crescents!
Great chili! I never want to recreate my stepdad’s spaghetti and meatballs. It’s my favorite meal and I like it to feel special and unchanged. Good question!
Wow, that story just really made me want to climb Mount Washington haha. I think this trip right now has really got me into hiking.
Also, I was just telling my fiance yesterday on my list of things to do when we get home is make chili, I keep seeing it everywhere!
Can I just say that your aunt reminds me of Catherine Hepburn in that picture! So pretty =)
yuuuums chili
Once the weather gets nicer, I’d love to go hiking at a nearby mountain. After all of the hard work climbing, nothing beats the great view from the top.
Jared made chili for the Super Bowl and I didn’t like it…but this recipe sounds more my style!
The chili looks great. Chili is always so tasty and so many ways to make it or things to add. I have totally hiked mount Washington in NH too.
I hope you feel better today!
I love that you are trying to recreate that chili from that wonderful memory! Hmm. I cannot think of anything I have tried to recreate. I keep wanting to make falafel every time I have a delicious piece. Does that count?
Convenience store chili, good? really?! I mean I guess I can see that. When I was in high school I used to LOVE the chili from Rally’s, until I found a hair in it (sorry, that was super gross). But I have had foods at convenience stores that have been really good. Once I bought the best piece of fruit I’d ever eaten at a gas station! Random.
This chili sounds fantastic. I love the addition of corn, and the veggie crumbles. I bet Nick wouldn’t even notice. Thanks for sharing! Have a great day, and weekend Shannon.
I was just talking to my husband about Mount Washington. He has never been and I think it would be a great mini-trip with the girls.
That chili looks great. I have not made chili in so long.
I have had a lot of success with PF Chang’s recipes lately. It beats having the 30 minutes it takes to drive there.
Hey Shannon! The Nutritional Yeast is with all the bulk food. I had to ask for help in finding it, it was sort of “buried” in there with everything else, but your Whole Foods should have it!