Chasen’s Style Academy Awards Party

One of the most famous restaurants in the heyday of Hollywood was Chasen’s Restaurant and Chasen’s Chili. Elizabeth Taylor used to have it flown to Rome, Italy when she was doing Cleopatra. I have my own Chasen’s type Chili recipe that will be a hit at any Academy Awards Party and will leave the hostess enjoying the party with her guests. I suggest making it a few days ahead … it even gets better and just heating it up before your guests arrive. I serve it in a “crock pot” to keep it warm and let the guests serve themselves. I serve it with chopped scallions, chopped cilantro, shredded Monterrey Jack cheese and Mexican chili beans. For an appetizer, guacamole and tortilla chips, vegetables, and dip. I chill white wine in ice buckets, cold beer, and designer water. For desert serve cookies and a platter of fruit and cheese.

Ingredients:

4 pounds of ground turkey          
2 packets of Carroll Shelby chili mix
1 large yellow onion (chopped)    
2 cans of diced tomatoes  one small can of tomatoe paste
2 cups of water             
1 can of Hormel Turkey Chili  
olive oil

Directions:

Use just enough olive oil to coat the bottom of the pot, brown the onions and add the turkey and cook till it changes color. Add the chili spice packets and stir. Add the tomatoes, water, turkey chili (to thicken) and tomatoes sauce and simmer for about thirty minutes. If you are making it ahead, cool the chili and refrigerate.

Serves 8 people.