Food - Drink
The Sweet Addition That Will Change Your Chili Forever
By KAREN HART
The International Chili Society says that a stew can only be called chili if it's loaded with "meat [...] cooked with red chili peppers, various spices, and other ingredients." Beyond these parameters, debates rage as to whether certain ingredients belong in chili or not, but this surprising sweet addition will definitely upgrade your chili.
Brown sugar imparts a light sweetness that contrasts nicely with chili recipes that have a little kick, and sugar can also cut the tanginess of tomatoes if the acid bothers your stomach. The amount of brown sugar you add depends on your personal tastes, but it's best to start small, so that the sweetness doesn't dominate the chili’s flavor.
You may still wonder how sweet is too sweet and how spicy is too spicy when it comes to chili. According to celebrity chef Bobby Flay, "Chili should have a kick, but not be burn-your-mouth-out hot. I love balancing that heat with sweet spices, such as cinnamon, and natural sweeteners like maple syrup."