Chilli for a crowd: how to make less boring

[OMGitsnotgood]

Chilli is often suggested on here for feeding a group. I always think 'nah, boring' and usually avoid (I love chilli but we have it often at home and at other gatherings)

However, I'm catering for a group of c.20 shortly where given various dietary requirements and logistics (not everyone can sit at a table and I suspect many will stand chatting anyway), I came to the conclusion that chilli is the best option, and the group agrees, so I'm not looking for alternative suggestions this time.

I've got as far as:
one large slow cooker of chilli con carne
one smaller but still largish slow cooker of vegetable chilli
Rice (I'll make a few dishes of oven cooked rice, with timings spread out a bit so that it covers a longer eating period)
Sliced baguettes, using a variety of baguettes - or maybe garlic bread - or large bowls of garlic croutons to sprinkle on the top?
Bowls of grated cheddar to sprinkle (I know the group well and the vegetarians eat all cheeses!)

I won't make a salad, which I would if seated, because it would have to all go in one bowl.

Maybe what I've listed above is ok but I know there are always amazing suggestions from you all so thought it worth a try.

Thank you

Please don’t do this without checking dietary requirements - soy intolerance is quite common and it would leave someone like me unable to eat the chilli!

Do some fun drinks and cocktails too!

If you make the chilli vegan, lots of meat-eaters will be disappointed, and some won't eat it at all. Vegan mince has a completely different taste and texture from beef mince.

A couple of muffin trays with toppings job done.

Thank you everyone, didn't expect so many responses and really helpful.

Definitely lots of different sides & bowls of tortilla chips, not sure why I hadn't thought of that! and have a lovely list of ideas, thank you.

Baked potatoes won't be easy to eat standing up with just a fork but wedges would work. I've cooked rice in the oven many times for a big group and it's fine. Will probably do a mix of rice and potatoes.

Re veggie only suggestion: meat version, probably less work than more chopping for the veggie dish and some of the meat eaters I know would feel short changed.

Re brisket suggestion: I'd prefer that to be honest but one person won't eat chunks of meat only mince, but doesn't like full veggie (one of the reasons I've gone for chilli rather than eg tagine/stew)

Won't use soy as one of the vegetarians won't eat it. I don't need a vegan option but I think the veggie chilliis I've made in the past are 'naturally vegan'

Re baguettes not being a usual side - yes I agree, but an inexpensive and easy filler and I actually like mopping up with bread so will probably do that anyway.

Thanks again, really helpful

It’s all about the sides and toppings!

Garlic bread, cornbread, plain tortilla chips, potato wedges and tortilla chips with melted cheese would be my ideal sides. Then all the toppings! Guacamole, sour cream, jalapeños, spring onions, refried beans, padron pepper, crispy lardons/bacon pieces, more cheese…

I’d love some salad but if you are serving in bowls that might be a pain. Nobody wants limp lettuce sharing a bowl with their chilli. Things like cherry tomatoes, avocado, sliced peppers, and onions work as toppings though.

Some beige nibbly stuff like onion rings or mozzarella sticks, loaded potato skins and sweet potato fries, corn on the cob would go well with chilli. Mac n cheese complements chilli too. Candied yams or sweet potato casserole/mash (with or without marshmallows 😂) would work too.

Please don’t make a vegan chilli with soy or quorn, as suggested. Lots of people are intolerant to them. People may not know they are intolerant if they don’t usually eat them. You may end up with a queue for the bathroom. Vegetable/bean chilli or chilli con carne are both lovely and cater for everyone but no fake meat please!

If you want a starter how about Sweetcorn fritters?

Another vote against this- many vegetarians and vegans are because they don’t like meat and don’t want a fake meat version.

a veggie chili is far superior anyway, and would cover the vegans unless you’re adding butter or animal fat for some reason (who does that!).

The only thing I would say is don’t cater the veggie chili to your non meat eaters. Bear in mind everyone will dig into the veggie chili but not the other way round, so if you have 10 meat eaters and 10 veggies, you’ll need more veggie chili as the meat one will go round 10, the veggie one round 20.

I'd do veggie chilli, rice and baked potatoes. Grated cheese and salsa/guacamole/sour cream and coleslaw and crusty bread. Nig bowl of salad. No one will go hungry, can help themselves and minimal effort.

Candied yams and sweet potato mash with marshmallows?

are you American by any chance? 😂.

don’t think I’ve ever seen Yams outside south London produce markets. Certainly can’t get them on Ocado 😂

You haven't said what your chilli recipe is, but I recommend using cumin, ground coriander and chilli flakes as the spices and maybe some smoked paprika. For a veggie chilli cubed butternut squash works really well with kidney and black beans and peppers.

What about some corn bread muffins ( or a other sort of savory muffin)

I would just do garlic bread and French sticks rather than a variety of baguettes.

I’d also add guacamole, sour cream and maybe a few tins of refried beans.

Taco shells or the soft taco ‘boats’ are also quite fun.

Tortillas.

Potato skins! So doing them tomorrow. Using the inside for mash on Sunday.

If you do the brisket as a whole piece you can shred the meat with a couple of forks at the end. No lumps of meat more a pulled texture.

Thanks @OneOfLittleConsequence, would do that for myself but will stick with the mince for this particular guest. Won't say any more than that!

I use this recipe, it really is divine, I'm making it today actually. I cook my dried beans in an instant pot so not too much effort.

You could make a meat one and a veggie one using the same base.

Mmm! Love a chilli! With loads of sides, you can't go wrong.

I often do a few flatbreads. So easy and looks like I made a huge effort 😉

You just mix one part yoghurt to 2 parts self-raising flour. Pinch of salt, teaspoon of baking powder and I add fennel seeds. That's it.

Mix it all into a dough, knead until stretchy then roll into balls. Use your fingers to flatten on a floured surface then cook in a lightly oiled pan until they've puffed up a bit and golden brown on both sides. Done!! And absolutely delicious...

For the future when you don't have a guest who won't eat lumps of meat the Hugh Fernly-Whittingstall chilli recipe is hands down the best ever. It has pork shoulder and chorizo in it and is amazing.

I'd do a coleslaw as a side, but not a mayo one, one with oil, vinegar lime, honey and chilli dressing. Easier to eat alongside a chilli. Hard no to soy mince...I can't eat it and I know others the same...a veg chilli instead is fine.

The bbc burnt aubergine chilli (vegetarian vegan) is delicious and a little bit different.

Ooh I like the sound of that and might use it, thank you - will make it a little different whilst meeting the various requirements, thank you

@theluckiest flat breads are a great idea and I like the sound of that recipe. I can make them ahead and reheat and is the kind of thing I was after, makes it a bit more special. Thank you

that's what i think

@GinForBreakfast my family and yes other guests another time would enjoy that. Have googled but can't find it - do you know the precise recipe name please?