'How to cook like Heston' challenge: Keith Kendrick

There's no smoke, but Keith is fired up by the challenge of Heston's chilli con carne

Heston Blumenthal’s recipe for chilli con carne is long, comprising four stages and 30 ingredients. But, hey, I ‘work from home’, I’ve got time on my hands, and it keeps me away from the ironing pile.

I’ve taken short cuts on some stages (soaking kidney beans, for example – I used a tin instead) and cooking down tomatoes (I used a tin instead) but Heston said this would be OK – and if it’s OK with Heston, who am I to argue?

I’ve also omitted his most theatrical maneouvre – setting fire to a pile of wood to create an authentic smoky flavour. We live in a flat and I don’t think the insurance would cover it. And I couldn’t be bothered with the corn muffins, so used shop-bought warm corn tortillas instead.

But, despite the lack of smouldering embers, I am here to tell you that this is the BEST chilli I have ever tasted. In fact, I am going to have to re-write the recipe book my wife gave me a few Christmases ago in which I wrote the words: ‘Best chilli I’ve ever tasted.’

It was then. It isn’t now.

Want to join in? 

Thank you Keith. If you want to join in and potentially win a tour of Heston's lab!, just register with lovefood, pick a recipe from the show, attempt it properly, and let us know how you got on by sending some pics and a few hundred words by email to contactus@lovefood.com

Terms

Our standard competition terms are here. You must be a registered user of lovefood.com to enter. The editor's decision is final. Closing date is 15th February.

More 'How to cook like Heston' challengers
'How to cook like Heston' challenge: Erik Jensen's oxtail pudding

'How to cook like Heston' challenge: Qin Xie's steak

'How to cook like Heston' challenge: Fiona Maclean's chilli con carne

'How to cook like Heston' challenge: Neil Hennessy-Vass's steak

'How to cook like Heston challenge': Jenny Davies's eggs

'How to cook like Heston challenge': Gary Fenn's roast chicken

'How to cook like Heston challenge': Dolce Dini & Rosana McPhee's exploding chocolate gateau

'How to cook like Heston challenge': Preeti Brar's flower pot tiramisu

'How to cook like Heston challenge': Emma Franklin's ultimate cheese sauce

'How to cook like Heston challenge': Rosemary Potter's cauliflower cheese