Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Chat

Join the discussion and chat with other Mumsnetters about everyday life, relationships and parenting.

Original poster

What is the obsession with chilli?

165 replies

ClaraThePigeon · 01/08/2023 14:10

Every time someone asks what to serve at a party on MN, people always suggest chilli. They always have to specify a big pot of it too as though if they didn't the host would give everyone a teaspoon of it each.

Do people really like chili that much? It's ok. I enjoy it a couple of times a year but that's it. It isn't something that I'd want at a party and it's rather messy not to mention trying to satisfy everyone's heat level preferences.

OP posts:
YukoandHiro · 01/08/2023 14:13

Presumably because it's easy to cook for large numbers

Kpo58 · 01/08/2023 14:14

It's also easy to convert into fajitas, tacos and burritos.

NightShiftDrama · 01/08/2023 14:15

We see this a lot here don't we?

And a massive salad to go with it!

mrsbyers · 01/08/2023 14:15

Yeah I think it’s universally liked if not too hot and can be served a few ways

vodkaredbullgirl · 01/08/2023 14:15

Depends on what else it's served with.

Original poster
ClaraThePigeon · 01/08/2023 14:15

Good points but personally I still don't find it to be a very appealing party food.

OP posts:
DaisyThistle · 01/08/2023 14:15

Because it's easy to make and serve, easy to create veggie and vegan versions rather than make an entire different menu fr them, and most people quite like it. Like spag bol without the trickiness of eating spaghetti.

SemperIdem · 01/08/2023 14:16

It’s just an easy crowd pleaser, doesn’t require much prep and is also simple enough to make vegetarian if needed without feeling compelled to make a “meat” version.

NightShiftDrama · 01/08/2023 14:16

I'd spill it down me! I'd swerve it if I'm honest

Original poster
ClaraThePigeon · 01/08/2023 14:16

We see this a lot here don't we?

And a massive salad to go with it!

You're right. On MN salads are always massive and it has to be a big pot of chilli.

OP posts:
KnittedCardi · 01/08/2023 14:17

It's a bog standard family meal really, like spaghetti Bolognese, I wouldn't do it for a dinner party.

Original poster
ClaraThePigeon · 01/08/2023 14:17

I'd spill it down me! I'd swerve it if I'm honest

Same. I'd end up wearing it. (I have dyspraxia and nerve damage.)

OP posts:
Itisyourturntowashthebath · 01/08/2023 14:18

What do you want to be served at a party?

ZacharinaQuack · 01/08/2023 14:18

It's also easy to make way in advance of the party.

I think it also works well because you can serve it with a whole load of different accompaniments (sour cream, cheese, guacamole, tortilla chips, rice, etc.) so that you've got lots of different things to spread out on a table for people to help themselves. That way it's not too much effort, it's something most people like, and it can also look like quite a generous spread of food.

NuffSaidSam · 01/08/2023 14:18

I don't like chilli really. I'd eat it, if served but it's very much school dinner fare to me.

LizBennet · 01/08/2023 14:19

PMSL about the BIG POT of it 😂

weebarra · 01/08/2023 14:19

It's definitely something I would make. You can add lots of sides and bulk it out, as well as tailor it for different diets.

TheChosenTwo · 01/08/2023 14:19

I definitely wouldn’t serve it or look forward to eating it at a party. I make my chilli with a beef brisket, I know a lot of people use mince but I don’t really like it and it doesn’t yield much in the way of flavour. It’s not really party food imo!

TastesLikeStrawberriesOnASummerEvening · 01/08/2023 14:20

vodkaredbullgirl · 01/08/2023 14:15

Depends on what else it's served with.

A massive salad.

ZacharinaQuack · 01/08/2023 14:20

KnittedCardi · 01/08/2023 14:17

It's a bog standard family meal really, like spaghetti Bolognese, I wouldn't do it for a dinner party.

I wasn't thinking OP meant 'dinner party', more like big party with lots of guests of all ages. My biggest party food success has actually always been macaroni cheese, which gets instantly hoovered up, and that's proper bog standard family meal territory! I'd do something a bit more special for a smaller dinner party.

Pinkitydrinkity · 01/08/2023 14:21

The BIG POT 😂😂

It’s a crowd pleaser, not too much of a faff to make and can be used in different ways I guess!

My mum makes it loads and I’m kind of fed up of it though. Maybe she’s one of the big pot-ers on here!?

determinedtomakethiswork · 01/08/2023 14:23

I have eaten a lot of really bad chillis. I'd rather make it myself or have it in a restaurant.

RitzyMcFitzy · 01/08/2023 14:25

With 'crusty bread'. How could you forget the crusty bread?

It's not the kind of thing i want to eat at a party, I prefer some finger foods, but I suppose it must be popular if it gets suggested so much.

RotundRuby · 01/08/2023 14:25

TheChosenTwo · 01/08/2023 14:19

I definitely wouldn’t serve it or look forward to eating it at a party. I make my chilli with a beef brisket, I know a lot of people use mince but I don’t really like it and it doesn’t yield much in the way of flavour. It’s not really party food imo!

Exactly this. I'm always baffled by the suggestion of it. I'm so glad I've never actually encountered a big pot of chilli at a party, I'd be going hungry.

I think the real question is why the obsession with mince. It's an mn obsession, but I don't think I know anyone cooking up mince at the levels suggested on here.

FKATondelayo · 01/08/2023 14:26

Lorraine Pascale does a good braising steak version. I like chilli and always appreciate it - warm, a bit spicy, lots of sides so you can customise, easy to serve, eat and leftovers won't go to waste.

I don't go to many dinner parties though. thank Christ

Swipe left for the next trending thread