The Weather is Hot…the Food is HOTTER THAN HADES!

Due to the unprecedented heatwave throughout the world, HRL decided to recognize the crisis by featuring foods that are…HOTTER THAN HADES!

Written tongue in cheek, we understand that not everyone likes a firepit in their mouth.  Still, a little spice in life – or the mouth – can truly heat things up! But, it can also cool you down. Who knew?

Cultures of the world who reside in warm locations knew. For instance, If you live in Mexico, you most likely eat hot spicy food despite the degrees Fahrenheit. Latin America, and South America, all seem to have a taste for heat.

Science has also provided studies that reveal how consuming warm-temperatured or spicy hot food and drink can create a metabolic procedure of warming the body up so it cools down naturally by sweating – the same way it (ideally) does in physical activity.

One such discovery is Hotter than Hades Honey by South Pond Farms: Ontario Honey infused with chili peppers. A touch of 'kick', delicious on cheese, glazed on chicken, or with roasted vegetables. South Pond has partnered with Walton Wood Farm to make the honey available for purchase at waltonwoodfarm.com!

Another is the “Hotter Than Hades” hotdog, part of the 2022 Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party at Disney World. Available at The Friar’s Nook in Fantasyland, it is described as a “spicy beef and pork hot dog, Hades’ relish, and pickles served with house-made violet mustard”. Looks like a real bang for your buck and your taste buds!

There are also countless recipes for salsa (we loved Nolana’s Family Hot Sauce and Sure Winner Salsa from HRL partner The Ranch Kitchen), barbecue sauce (from the store or make your own at home) – and, of course, chili.

Chili is a deliciously simple one-pot meal that is great anytime, and comes together quickly but gets better the longer it cooks. The beauty of chili is in its versatility – with its staple flavor profile, the ingredients, toppings, and sides can be adapted to satisfy both meat lovers and vegetarians/vegans. Especially here in Florida’s heat, Team HRL is dreaming of chilly days for chili days…so it is our pleasure to present a recipe that truly captures the spirit of HOTTER THAN HADES! 

HOTTER THAN HELL CHILI

Printed from COOKS.COM

• 1 1/2 med. onions, chopped

• 1 med. green pepper, chopped

• 1 rib celery, chopped

• 1 sm. clove garlic, minced

• 1/2 tsp. chopped jalapeno pepper

• 3 tbsp. oil

• 4 lb. ground meat*

• 8 tbsp. chili powder

• 1 tbsp. ground cumin

• 2 tsp. garlic salt

• 1/4 tsp. Tabasco

• Salt and pepper

• 1 (12 oz.) can beer (use only 8 oz.)

• 1 1/4 c. water

• 1 (14 1/2 oz.) can stewed tomatoes

• 1 (8 oz.) can tomato sauce

• 1 (6 oz.) can tomato paste

• 1 (4 oz.) can diced green chilies

• 1 bay leaf

Saute first 5 ingredients in oil until onion is clear. Add beef* and saute. Combine next 5 ingredients with 8 ounces of beer. Let stand 1-2 minutes. Add beef mixture and remaining ingredients to meat mixture. Simmer, covered, 3 hours, stirring often.

* You can easily make this a vegan recipe by replacing meat with more beans, finely chopped mushrooms, seitan, or dried bulgur…but we love Impossible “Beef”. I have tried many plant-based beef brands, with Impossible being the only one that satisfies my burger craving. For a fantastic vegan chili, their replacement for ground beef is as good as it gets (in my humble opinion)!

Plant-based meats are gaining popularity for many reasons, but they also help in terms of the environment and greenhouse emissions.

With that in mind, we hope you enjoy the recipe – it was especially delicious with a Ranch Water! Fall will be here before we know it, so in the meantime, stay cool and hydrated.