Casual Chili Party

Place a pot of chili on the sideboard, surround it with simple make-ahead accompaniments, and this no-fuss buffet practically serves itself.

Becky Luigart-Stayner

John Kirkpatrick

from Cooking Light

If a gathering of friends and family looms on your horizon, we've created a mix-and-match chili buffet menu designed for easy entertaining. Rustle up a stew pot or two of chili, and surround it with some deliciously simple accompaniments. Chili serves a gang, is informal, and can be made ahead and reheated before serving. Many chilies are even better the next day.

Casual Chili Party Menu

Serves 6

Southwestern Chili
OR
Chunky Two-Bean and Beef Chili

Garlicky Spinach Dip with Hearts of Palm

Peanutty Cabbage-Apple Slaw with Raisins

Savory Two-Cheese Biscotti
OR
Sour Cream, Cheddar, and Green Onion Drop Biscuits

Assorted chili toppings: sour cream, chopped green onions, chopped tomato, and shredded cheese

This menu allows you to tailor either chili to the group you're entertaining. The Southwestern Chili serves up smoky chipotle chile pepper and Cajun sausage; it's a great choice for a laid-back get-together. Or get fancy with a chili of beef stew meat and red wine.

Round out the menus with trustworthy sidekicks like coleslaw, cheesy breads, creamy spinach dip, and brownies. Such an easy, great-tasting buffet will make your culinary reputation larger than life, maybe as big as Texas.

online November 2007