Description
Chili, the quint essential American meal. Born in the back of a chuck wagon as nourishment for hungry cowboys after a long day of herding cattle. Heart warming, filling, tasty, and easy to make.
Ingredients
Chile paste
- 2 Ancho chilies
- 2 Mulato chilies
- 3 Guajillas chilies
- 2 Chipotle
- 8 Chiltepin
- 1 tbsp whole cumin
- 6 tbsp masa harina or 6 corn tortillas
- 1-2 cups of water
Chili
- 4 lbs of meat of your choice cut in 1/2 inch cubes
- 6 tbsp olive oil
- 2 medium onion
- 2 medium Chile peppers (fresno and jalapeƱo)
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 1 cup of the chiles paste
- Enough water or beef broth to cover everything (4 cups or so)
- Optional: 1 lbs of dried and soaked beans overnight
Instructions
- Roast the dried chilies in a pan until it just starts to smoke.
- Add 1-2 cups of water until they are barely covered.
- Let them steep for 30 mins.
- Transfer them to the blender chilies and liquid and blend on high until smooth
- Jar and save for later use.
- Add some olive oil in the dutch oven.
- Brown the meat in portions to build some fond (1/3 is enough but you can do the whole thing if you like).
- Once all the meat is done, add some more olive oil and add the onions and the fresh chili.
- Once it is translucent add the tomato paste and the chili paste.
- Cook until fragrant, add salt pepper and any other seasoning.
- Return the meat.
- IF you are using beans you can add them here.
- Add enough water (or broth) to cover by 1/2 inch.
- Bring to a boil and add the masa harina or the tortilla shredded.
- Simmer for 3-4 hours on low. Stir and check occasionally to make sure it is always covered with liquid.
Notes
- Garnish with the toppings of your liking, onions, jalopeƱos (fresh or pickled), sour cream, cheese etc.
- I know I said no pressure cookers, but if you are in a hurry, add less water, pressure cook on high for 30 mins and then slow cook for 1 hour. That will make a chili similar to dutch oven.
- When I make chili I make a big batch and freeze most of it. It freezes great!
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2 cups
- Calories: 460 kcal
- Sodium: 173 mg
- Fat: 23.7 g
- Saturated Fat: 6.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 17.2 g
- Trans Fat: 0
- Carbohydrates: 7.9 g
- Fiber: 1.4 g
- Protein: 53.8 g
- Cholesterol: 163 mg