There is nothing more delicious than freshly made hot chili, however it can be surprisingly delicious even reheated. The flavors of the individual ingredients will have had time to blend, giving a new complexity to the dish. If you like to create delicious recipes with leftovers to avoid waste and save money, you will be happy to know that chili can be reused in many different ways. Each recipe combines ingredients and flavors in a special way to create a unique interpretation of this typical Tex-Mex dish.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Reheat the Chili
Step 1. Transfer the chili to a medium saucepan
Choose a pot that is the right size for the amount of kilos to be heated. Grease it with olive or sunflower oil to prevent the chili from sticking as you heat it.
- If you want to serve the chili in small portions, you can pour it directly into bowls and heat them one at a time in the microwave.
- Heat only the chili you need to prepare a certain dish. If you heat and refrigerate it many times, it will quickly lose its qualities.
Step 2. Add 125ml of tomato puree or chicken broth
Chili thickens when it loses moisture in the refrigerator, but just add a little liquid to restore its original consistency. Be careful not to add too much so as not to dilute it excessively. Stir to incorporate the broth or tomato puree into the chili before turning on the stove.
- By using tomato puree or flavorful chicken broth instead of water, you won't risk diluting the intense, spicy flavor of the chili.
- If you prefer the chili to be very thick, simply skip this step and reheat it normally.
Step 3. Heat the chili for 10-12 minutes
Turn on the stove over medium-high heat. From time to time, check and stir the chili to prevent it from sticking to the bottom of the pot. When it begins to boil continuously along the edges of the pot, it is ready to serve.
- Stir the chili starting from the bottom of the pot to distribute the heat better.
- Once hot, the chili is ready to be served and eaten, but you can also let it simmer over low heat for half an hour to revive the individual flavors.
Step 4. Eat the chili
When it has heated up, transfer it to a serving dish with the ladle and savor it for the second time. This is the easiest way to enjoy leftover chili. Since it keeps well in the refrigerator, you can keep using it until you have finished the last portion.
You can spice up the chili with some additional fresh ingredients, like cheese, scallions, sour cream, or classic Mexican corn chips
Method 2 of 3: Creative Recipes with Advanced Chili
Step 1. Make a sauce with the chili and cheese
It's a quick and easy way to turn chili into a delicious gravy. Melt the cheese in the microwave and then mix it with the leftover chili. You can customize the recipe by incorporating fresh ingredients such as tomatoes, onion or finely chopped green chillies. You can use the salsa in a burrito, enchiladas, or serve it alongside Mexican corn chips.
- To save time, you can use chopped tomato pulp, instead of fresh tomato, and flaky cheese, which melts faster.
- If the sauce is leftover, transfer it to an airtight container and store it in the refrigerator. It will keep good for 2-3 days.
Step 2. Try hot dogs with chili
Place the frankfurter on the lightly toasted hot dog bread, then spread the chili over the frankfurter with the spoon and complete the sandwich with chopped onion, grated cheese, mustard, pickles and any other ingredient you like.
- Put the additional ingredients in separate bowls and let your guests compose their own sandwich however they like.
- Hot dogs with chili are a great idea for an outdoor picnic or lunch.
Step 3. Make the nachos following this simple recipe
Spread the Mexican corn chips on a plate and alternate in layers with the reheated chili, refried beans, cheese, and jalapeños. Place the dish in the microwave or under the grill to melt the cheese. Once ready, garnish the nachos with a tablespoon of sour cream and a sprinkle of chopped fresh cilantro.
Nachos are extremely versatile, for example you can serve them at aperitif time or as a nighttime snack
Step 4. Create a particularly tasty dish with French fries, cheese and chili
For this recipe it is best to use the fries in zigzag or wedges, as they are more crunchy. Spread them on a plate and toss with a combination of chili, cheese, and chopped spring onion. Place the dish in the microwave or oven to melt the cheese and combine the flavors. Serve the fries accompanied by the ranch sauce.
- You can serve French fries as a side dish, for example to accompany chicken wings, a burger or a sandwich.
- Don't forget the fork, you will need it.
Step 5. Combine chili with baked potatoes and, in just a few steps, you've created an incredibly tasty dish
You can enrich it further by adding some very tasty ingredients, such as crispy bacon, scallions, cheese and sour cream. A simple baked potato will turn into a unique, complete and appetizing dish.
If you want, you can empty the potatoes, mix their pulp with the other ingredients and then fill the potatoes with the filling obtained; once heated, you can serve them in an original and scenographic way, inspired by the recipe of "twice-baked potatoes" (literally "potatoes cooked twice"). Alternatively, you can make crispy potato skins
Method 3 of 3: Incorporate the Chili into Appetizers and Other Courses
Step 1. Try the Mexican recipe called "huevos rancheros"
Lightly toast the tortillas in a pan greased with a little oil. Slide a couple of fried eggs onto the tortilla and cover them with the chili. It is a quick and easy recipe, also suitable for breakfast, that will leave you feeling full and satisfied for many hours.
- You can garnish the dish with a splash of fresh cream, a few slices of avocado or a spoonful of hot sauce.
- For a complete meal, you can accompany the eggs with a side of white rice and black beans.
Step 2. Try another Tex-Mex recipe:
the "frito pie". Grease a baking dish with oil, pour typical Mexican corn chips in it and sprinkle them with chili and a generous amount of grated cheese. Heat the ingredients in the oven until the cheese has melted.
- This recipe requires only a few ingredients and minimal preparation, so it can come to your rescue when you're short on time to make dinner. You can bring the dish to the table and let the guests serve themselves.
- If the "Frito pie" is left over, you can keep it in the refrigerator and reheat it for the following days.
Step 3. Try Cincinnati style chili
Season the pasta with the leftover chili to create a one-of-a-kind combination. You can add some grated cheddar type cheese, onion, and other ingredients to your taste.
- For a more authentic Cincinnati-style version, simmer the chili after adding a sprinkle of cinnamon, cloves, allspice and cocoa.
- With this recipe you can create a complete dish even if the leftover chili is very little.
Step 4. Combine the chili with the cornbread
This recipe is a variation of the more traditional "shepherd's pie". It starts with a chili base to which vegetables and legumes are added to your liking. Spread the cornbread dough over the mixture using a kitchen spatula. Bake in the oven or grill until the cornbread acquires a uniform golden hue.
- You can customize the recipe to taste by adding spices and your favorite ingredients.
- You can use the muffin pan to create small single-portion timbales.
Advice
- Aim to use the leftover chili within 3-5 days of placing it in the refrigerator.
- If the chili is frozen, allow it to thaw completely in the refrigerator (not at room temperature) before reheating.
- Add some freshly stir-fried veggies or extra spices to spice up the taste of the chili.
- All of these recipes can be easily modified to suit a vegetarian diet.
- Get creative and incorporate leftover chili into your favorite dishes.
