Chili Recipes

Yield: 12 servings

3 medium tomatoes
1 large Bermuda onion, finely chopped
1/4 teaspoon dried Mexican oregano
2 teaspoons paprika
5 large garlic cloves, finely chopped
1 (4 pound) beef shank, coarsely ground
1 tablespoon lard, butter or bacon drippings
4 scallions, chopped
5 green bell peppers, chopped
5 fresh Serrano chiles, chopped
1 pound chorizo sausage or hot non-Italian sausage
4 medium garlic cloves, finely chopped
2 teaspoons salt
4 tablespoons ground hot red chile
4 tablespoons ground mild red chile
3 tablespoons cumin seeds
Beer
Water

Puree the first four ingredients plus one clove of the garlic in a blender or food processor (using the steel blade). Scrape the mixture into a large heavy pot and add the beef.

Melt the lard, butter, or bacon drippings in a heavy skillet over medium heat. Add the scallions, bell peppers, serrano chiles, sausage, and the remaining garlic, and cook until the onions are translucent and the sausage is browned.

Place the cumin seeds in a 300 degree F oven for a few minutes until lightly browned. Remove seeds from the oven and crush them with a mallet. Stir the vegetables into the beef and tomato mixture. Add the salt ground chile, cumin, and enough water or beer to cover. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, then lower the heat and simmer, uncovered for 4 to 6 hours. Taste and adjust seasonings.

Yield: 12 servings

3 medium tomatoes
1 large Bermuda onion, finely chopped
1/4 teaspoon dried Mexican oregano
2 teaspoons paprika
5 large garlic cloves, finely chopped
1 (4 pound) beef shank, coarsely ground
1 tablespoon lard, butter or bacon drippings
4 scallions, chopped
5 green bell peppers, chopped
5 fresh Serrano chiles, chopped
1 pound chorizo sausage or hot non-Italian sausage
4 medium garlic cloves, finely chopped
2 teaspoons salt
4 tablespoons ground hot red chile
4 tablespoons ground mild red chile
3 tablespoons cumin seeds
Beer
Water

Puree the first four ingredients plus one clove of the garlic in a blender or food processor (using the steel blade). Scrape the mixture into a large heavy pot and add the beef.

Melt the lard, butter, or bacon drippings in a heavy skillet over medium heat. Add the scallions, bell peppers, serrano chiles, sausage, and the remaining garlic, and cook until the onions are translucent and the sausage is browned.

Place the cumin seeds in a 300 degree F oven for a few minutes until lightly browned. Remove seeds from the oven and crush them with a mallet. Stir the vegetables into the beef and tomato mixture. Add the salt ground chile, cumin, and enough water or beer to cover. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, then lower the heat and simmer, uncovered for 4 to 6 hours. Taste and adjust seasonings.

2 pounds lean ground beef
2 cups chopped onions
3 tablespoons ground cumin
3 tablespoons chili powder
1 1/2 tablespoons garlic powder
1 tablespoon chopped canned chipotle chiles in adobo sauce*
2 1/2 cups (or more) water
1 cup finely chopped fresh cilantro
Grated Cheddar cheese
Sour cream
Additional chopped onion

Sauté beef and 2 cups chopped onions in large Dutch oven over high heat until beef is cooked through, stirring often and breaking up beef with back of spoon, about 10 minutes.

Add cumin, chili powder, garlic powder and chipotle chiles; sauté 3 minutes. Mix in 2 1/2 cups water and 1/2 cup cilantro. Reduce heat to medium-low. Cover partially and cook 1 1/2 hours, adding more water by 1/4 cupfuls if chili becomes dry. Season with salt and pepper. (Can be made 1 day ahead. Cover; chill. Bring to simmer before continuing.)

Mix remaining 1/2 cup cilantro into chili. Ladle chili into bowls. Serve, passing cheese, sour cream and additional chopped onion separately. Serves 4.

*Canned chipotle chiles are available at Latin American markets, specialty foods stores and some supermarkets.