Obama Family Chili

En français ici.
Today around noon EST, Barack Obama will be sworn in as the 44th president of the United States, something I, personally, am greatly looking forward to. Sure, in his first days he's expected to order the beginning of the withdrawal of American troupes from Iraq, the closing of Guantanamo bay, the tightening of ethics rules for government workers, good stuff, but enough about politics, Mr. President, what about food?? It may surprise you to know that there is an entire website dedicated to the "Obama Foodscape" as they put it: Obama Foodorama.

It is on this website (among others) that you can find out all about how President Obama can make a mean chili and you can even read a copy of the recipe he's been using since college. Being a foodie, I wanted to do something food-related to mark the inauguration. Having already created the Obama Cocktail (which will certainly have to be made this evening), I decided to give his chili a try.

The verdict? Good. Very good. I swapped the kidney beans (which I couldn't find in my supermarket here) for some little white beans called flageolet that I got in my CSA. I don't particularly recommend that though because flageolet are firmer and not as satisfying in chili. I also added a carrot or two, which I do recommend and used canned tomatoes because of the season, but if you stick to Barack's version you won't be disappointed. The blend of spices is delicious.



The Obama Family Chili Recipe

1 large onion, chopped
1 green pepper, chopped
Several cloves of garlic, chopped
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 pound ground turkey or beef
1/4 teaspoon (each) of ground cumin, ground oregano, ground turmeric, and ground basil
1 tablespoon chili powder
3 tablespoons red wine vinegar
Several tomatoes, depending on size, chopped
1 can red kidney beans

Sauté onions, green pepper and garlic in olive oil until soft. Add ground meat and brown. Combine spices together into a mixture, then add to ground meat. Add red wine vinegar. Add tomatoes and let simmer, until tomatoes cook down. Add kidney beans and cook for a few more minutes. Serve over white or brown rice. Garnish with grated cheddar cheese, onions and sour cream.


Here's to all our hopes being justified in the next four years. Happy inauguration President Obama!