Chilly weather is chili weather

Jane Butel is the guru of Southwestern cooking: She’s written 19 books about the cuisine of the wild, wild west, with a special focus on chiles which are, in her opinion, more than just a pungent pod. Chiles, says Butel, help maintain one’s metabolism, create an endorphin reaction that excites body tissue, are good for the skin and heart, have anti-cancer and anti-oxident qualities and might be good for your sex life too. In Butel’s newest book, Chili Madness, she even includes a “Ten Step Chili Fitness Plan” for those who want to lose weight by eating chili.

Butel originally wrote Chili Madness in 1980. It was a small book, under 100 pages with 37 recipes. The new version (Workman Publishing, $12.95) has expanded the book to more than 200 pages and it’s packed with more chili information that you’ll ever be able to remember (“Much like chocolate, chile gives the body a rush silimar to that of sex…”) and dozens of recipes. There’s the traditional chile con carne, of course, but also White Lobster Chili, Green Chili Fetticine, Blue Heaven Chili (with bleu cheese) and Turkey Tetrazzini Chili.

Butel will be in town on Monday, January 19, to oversee the chili activities — including a chili competition — held at Smoke ‘n Fire, the fireplace and barbecue shop at 8030 West 151st Street in Overland Park. She’ll sign copies of her book at 6 p.m. and a chili dinner will be served (reservations required by calling 913-685-1111). There’s a $10 fee for participating in the chili competition and the proceeds will be donated to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. For more information, call Joan at Smoke ‘n Fire at 913-685-1111.