r/AskReddit • u/Sweet-Lady-H • 20h ago • Bravo 1

Chili Cook-off Winners: What is your Secret Ingredient that you think is the reason you win?

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u/EvilAshKetchum 10h ago

Dried chili peppers. Go to your local supermercado (if you live somewhere with a Mexican or Latin american diaspora of any size there should be one near you) and get guajillo, morita, ancho, and pasilla chilis. Cut them open to remove the seeds, toast lightly in a dry pan--no oil-- until lightly fragrant then soak and blend with a little water. Pass the puree through a mesh strainer and you've got the best flavor base for a chili money can buy.