Description
This Cauldron of Chili with Spider Breads is a spooky and comforting meal perfect for Halloween or any cozy night. Featuring a hearty, flavorful chili simmered with beans, ground meat, and spices, it’s served alongside playful spider-shaped breads made from buttery biscuit dough and pretzel legs. The recipe combines rich, warming flavors with fun presentation to delight family and friends.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Chili
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 pound ground beef or plant-based meat
- 1 (15-ounce) can black beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 (15-ounce) can kidney beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 (28-ounce) can crushed tomatoes
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 cup beef or vegetable broth
- 1 tablespoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese (for topping)
- Sour cream and chopped green onions (for garnish)
For the Spider Breads
- 1 can refrigerated biscuit dough (8 biscuits)
- 32 pretzel sticks
- 2 tablespoons butter, melted
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon dried parsley
- Black sesame seeds or mini peppercorns (for eyes)
Instructions
- Sauté Onions and Garlic: Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the diced onions and cook until softened, about 5 minutes. Stir in the minced garlic and cook an additional 1 minute until fragrant.
- Brown the Meat: Add the ground beef or plant-based meat to the pot. Cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until browned and cooked through. Drain any excess fat if necessary.
- Simmer the Chili: Stir in the black beans, kidney beans, crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, broth, chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, cayenne pepper (if using), salt, and pepper to taste. Mix thoroughly and bring the chili to a simmer. Cover and let it simmer gently for 30 to 40 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.
- Prepare Spider Breads – Shape: While the chili simmers, preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Cut each biscuit in half and roll each piece into a ball. For each spider bread, insert 4 pretzel sticks on each side of the dough ball to create the spider legs.
- Prepare Spider Breads – Season and Bake: Place the spider breads on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Brush each dough ball with the melted butter mixed with garlic powder and dried parsley. Press two black sesame seeds or mini peppercorns into each dough ball to form the eyes. Bake in the preheated oven for 12 to 14 minutes until golden brown.
- Serve: Serve the chili hot in bowls or a large cauldron-style pot. Top with shredded cheddar cheese, a dollop of sour cream, and chopped green onions. Arrange the spider breads on the side or creatively on top of the chili for a fun, spooky presentation.
Notes
- You can substitute ground beef with ground turkey or a plant-based alternative for a lighter or vegetarian variation.
- Add corn kernels or diced bell peppers to the chili for extra texture, sweetness, and color.
- Spider breads can be prepared ahead of time and gently reheated before serving.
- If you prefer a milder chili, omit the cayenne pepper.
- Use vegetable broth to keep the chili vegetarian or vegan-friendly if desired.
