FTBBQ: 409 Tailgate Club’s Hangover Chili

Sponsor: Whether tailgating in Happy Valley or watching the action at home, take your Saturday spread to the next level with Sauces, BBQ Dry Rubs and Bloody Mary Mix from the 409 Tailgate Club. Visit 409’s Online Store HERE.

How’s that saying go? The best-laid plans of mice and something-or-other? Sorry, even though our typical blog posts are longer than a CVS receipt and wordy as all get-out, we’re not big readers.

Anyway, earlier this summer, Penn State brass formally announced their plans to conduct an in-game alcohol sales “trial run” at Beaver Stadium for the Central Michigan game this Saturday – a long-overdue decision that delighted everybody except the fat cats at BIG FLASK.

In the spirit of synergy, we thought, what better time/place to share our world-famous, award-winning Hangover Chili recipe than on this glorious, 107,000-seat, 5%-alcohol-by-volume stage?!?!? Drinking before AND during the game + a starchy, meaty, spicy bowl of bliss to soak up it all up afterwards = a perfect marriage.

Then, of course, we learned a few days ago that Penn State decided to push back this beer dress rehearsal another week, thus undoing our brilliant recipe matchmaking.

(sigh)

Whatever, it’s still an awesome dish. Plus, it gives us a fun excuse to use 409’s ‘That Lady’ Bloody Mary Mix for something other than boozing, as we discovered that the flavors of the drink blend harmoniously well with beef. The fresh tomatoes, the liberal amounts of horseradish, and a few secret spices within the Bloody Mary mix turn any red-meat recipe up to 11.

Here’s what you’ll need for the chili AND the chili powder for the chili…

Ingredients-Chili

 2 lbs. Ground Beef

(1) 15 oz. can Stewed Tomatoes

(1) 15 oz. can Black Beans, drained and rinsed

(1) 6 oz. can Tomato Paste

(2) Jalapenos – seeded and diced

(1) Medium onion – diced

1 tbsp. Hot Sauce

¾ cup That’s Lady’s Sweet Bloody Mary Mix ORDER HERE

5 tbsp. 409 Chili Powder

1 shot of Vodka (optional)

Ingredients-Chili Powder

 ¼ cup Ancho Chili Powder

3 tbsp. Paprika

4 tsp. Ground Cumin

2 tbsp. Onion Powder

4 tsp. Dried Oregano

2 tsp. Garlic Powder

Directions

• Brown the ground beef in a large pan and drain the fat.

• Add the beef and the ingredients to a large pot. Use the empty can of stewed tomatoes to add 2 cans of water to the pot. Chef’s Note: Full disclosure. I have no clue if the shot of vodka does anything to the flavor, but if I open a bottle of Bloody Mary mix, vodka is getting used in some shape or form!

• Cover and let simmer for 1 hour, longer if it’s a 3:30 p.m. or night kickoff.