What is the obsession with chilli?

[ClaraThePigeon]

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.

I don't think I ever have served it at a party, but I can see why people would, and I would definitely eat some.

I love chili

So funny! Yes, the ubiquitous big pot of chilli served with 'all the sides'. Closely followed by the jacket potatoes with 'loads of different fillings'. It's as though people are catering for a scout jamboree rather than grown ups.

Well Im not keen on Chilli!I think its offered as its filling ,and cheaper than Vol au vents or whatever .I think if it was mild, and there was nothing else I would eat some but would prefer some other options if possible

I think the popularity of mince is fairly understandable. Don’t you think I’m at a cost of living crisis add more generally on a forum for people are often looking for budget recipes?

Mince usually doesn’t cost as much as the amounts of proper cut pieces of meat that need to be distinguishable. A small amount of mince disintegrates, and can Das be used to bulk out with various cheap alternatives, including grated vegetables, lentils, or beans to create a meaty flavoured dish that doesn’t break some peoples banks.

I don’t find it at all difficult to understand the popularity of mince in the wider, economic context not just now I’m at the cost of living situation, put more generally on a forum for people often come seeking budget friendly options. Were they have members of the family who are used to having meat for most meals.

I can't think of an easier dish to serve a crowd. It's easy to make up in advance and reheats well. Not hugely expensive, fairly in offensive, easy to serve, can be eaten with just a fork if necessary, easy to create a veg or vegan version. Naturally gluten free, dairy free, nut free and therefore prevents the host having to make different for those with dietary requirements. Easy to jazz up a bit with sour cream, guacamole, salsa, tortilla chips, grated cheese etc.
Surely it's not that hard to see why it's a popular choice!

I’ve served it at bonfire night parties. Made with brisket, cooked for a very long time, low and slow. It’s delicious. I give a choice of jacket potatoes, rice, or wraps for Sloppy Joes. Cheese, sour cream and salsas also available. No massive salad.

Surely it's not that hard to see why it's a popular choice!

It is for me. It's messy, some people don't like or can't eat spicy foods and it's a bit samey plus you have to take into account different heat level tolerances/preferences.

That said I've never been served it at a party IRL but it's always the first suggestion on MN.

I'd rather a chilli than sausage rolls, vol-au vents and other beige offerings.

I'd fill up on the Crusty Bread and Big Salad! I don't eat beef and wouldn't be able to coordinate eating a bowl of it standing up without losing half of it down my cleavage.

😂

I'd far rather have chilli than pulled pork which always gets suggested too.

a choice of jacket potatoes, rice, or wraps for Sloppy Joes.

Aren't sloppy Joes usually served on burger buns?

@OP when my siblings, their partners and children get together, we have veggie, vegan, coeliac and Hallal diets to address. What else would you suggest so we can all sit down and "break bread" together?
Big bean chilli, massive salad, sides, strawberries, meringues and ice cream. Seems to work. Everybody eats, no one spends hours cooking.

Me too.

It's easy and popular - can be bulked out with bread etc - easy to be vegetarian. Nicer than nasty buffets of cheap 'party' food.

It's obviously not any good for a posh dinner party, but for a family party or supper with friends it's a good call.

I think for an informal gathering, bonfire night parties etc it is great. Fresh tasting. Can be made vegetarian. Served with lots of interesting sides and not beige pastry rubbish.

I don't think many people either adore it or serve it particularly spicy on a big scale. It's just quite flavoursome and economical, plus it's easy to cook ahead of time, reheat, liven up with sides and store leftovers. I've never had it served actually hot (spicy), only ever at a level I think most would be ok with. It's not about it being some exquisite discovery, just usually a helpful response to someone worried about what to cook for a big gathering. You might not like it much but it's really not that deep tbh!

Also it could be vegetarian, vegan, dairy-free, gluten-free, nut free. Meat eaters can eat it. All in one dish.

@Combusting MN has been mad for mince since I first started here in 2004 (an economic boom year), idea that its due to budget is at odds with nearly everyone and their DH apparently being a higher rate tax payer though.

I only notice the mince prevalence as I don't and won't eat the stuff, even with a massive salad! The magic mn chicken holds much more appeal to me.

I literally came to say this. It's one of those unnecessary adjectives that really makes me squirm. As though you'd serve chilli and then proceed to dump the Hovis bag on the table...

The bread's always crusty.
The salad's always green.

I understand why people recommend chilli as an easy cook meal, but I've never served or been served it at a party. Strikes me as a bit of a sloppy pain in the balls.

Crisp, white shirt also sends me sideways.

Id rather see an invite with a Big Pot of Chili and a Green Salad that the fucking Hog Roasts, stuffing and apple sauce in Baps that people spend huge amounts of money getting some converted Horse Box company in to do. I always end up with a plate of cous cous and coleslaw in that scenario.

Oh dear.... I always serve chilli at family gatherings. It's in a big pot too 🤣.

Reasons being it's easy to cater to different dietary requirements, no faff to prepare, cheap, pretty much everyone likes it including the children attending and I can put out a lot of sides (tortilla chips, potato wedges, cheese, sour cream, jalapenos, coriander) so people can customise their own.

I wouldn't serve it for a dinner party but hosting a gathering for lots of people I think it's a good option.

I'm not a fan either.

Chilli is an everyday, nothing special meal. Tbh, I'm a touch disappointed if it comes up on our day to day meal plan, let alone as a treat or party food.

Chilli as a party food to me is cheap, unimaginative and lacks any effort. Lowest common denominator of party food. It screams "I couldn't be bothered to make any effort, and I wanted to cater as cheaply as possible".

When I cater a party, I provide special, treat food rather than just whatever is cheapest and easiest.

It's just so flexible when catering to a big crowd because guests can customise their meal in so many ways.

Start with rice, baked potatoes, wraps, or tortilla chips..

Add chili or not...

Add grated cheese, sour cream, guacamole, salsa, hot chili sauce, coleslaw, sweetcorn, salad to your heart's content.

So practical when catering for a large group, particularly if there are lots of children of various ages.