Best Margies Chili Recipes

SLOW-COOKED CHUNKY CHILI

Steps:

• In a large skillet, cook beef and sausage over medium heat until meat is no longer pink; drain. Transfer to a 5-qt. slow cooker. Stir in the remaining ingredients. , Cover and cook on high for 4-5 hours or until vegetables are tender. If desired, serve with shredded cheese, chopped onion and sour cream. , Freeze option: Before adding toppings, cool chili. Freeze chili and toppings separately in freezer containers. To use, partially thaw in refrigerator overnight. Heat through in a saucepan, stirring occasionally and adding a little water if necessary. Sprinkle with toppings.

THE BEST CHILI

Steps:

• Heat 2 tablespoons of the oil in a Dutch oven or large pot over medium-high heat. Add the beef and cook, breaking up the meat with a wooden spoon, until just browned, about 4 minutes. Transfer to a plate with a slotted spoon.
• Reduce the heat to medium and add the remaining 2 tablespoons oil. Add the onions and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened and lightly golden, about 10 minutes.
• Add the jalapeno and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened, about 5 minutes. Add the garlic and cook, stirring frequently, until fragrant, about 30 seconds.
• Add the chili powder, cumin, paprika, cayenne, 1/2 teaspoon salt and the tomato paste. Cook, stirring frequently, until coated and fragrant, about 1 minute.
• Stir in the beef broth and crushed tomatoes and bring to a boil over high heat. Stir in the cooked ground beef and any accumulated liquid, then reduce the heat to medium-low. Simmer the chili, partially covered, until the beef is tender and the sauce is slightly thickened, about 30 minutes.
• Stir in the beans and their liquid and simmer uncovered until the beans are softened and the chili is thickened, about 30 minutes more. Season with salt and pepper.
• Top with sour cream, Cheddar and scallions. Serve with tortilla chips.

ITALIAN MERINGUE FOR MERINGUE PIES

Steps:

• Put the sugar, 1/4 cup water and the corn syrup into a small saucepan and stir until the sugar is dissolved. Bring the mixture to a boil over medium heat and cook, without stirring, until the syrup registers 240 degrees F (soft-ball stage) on a candy thermometer, about 5 minutes.
• Meanwhile, while the sugar is cooking, put the egg whites in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a whisk attachment and whip on medium-low speed until foamy, about 1 minute. Sprinkle in the cream of tartar and increase the mixer speed to medium; whisk until soft peaks form, about 3 minutes.
• When the syrup reaches the correct temperature, reduce the mixer speed to low and slowly drizzle the hot syrup down the inside of the mixer bowl in a slow, steady stream (be sure not to let the syrup hit the whisk to avoid splattering). Increase the mixer speed to high and whip until the whites are stiff and glossy, about 4 minutes.
• Use the meringue immediately to top a lemon meringue pie.

CRAZY MARY'S CHILI

Steps:

• Combine chili powder, salt and pepper in cup; set aside.
• Melt butter in large saucepan over medium heat.
• Add mushrooms, onion and celery and cook, stirring occasionally, until onion is transparent (about 10 minutes).
• Add ground beef and about 1/4 of chili powder mixture.
• Cook, breaking up meat with fork, until browned.
• Stir in remaining chili powder mixture, tomatoes, water, sugar, and Worcestershire sauce.
• Cover partially and simmer 15 minutes.
• Add beans and simmer 10 more minutes.
• Ladle chili into broiler proof serving bowls.
• Sprinkle each serving with about 2 tbsp shredded Cheddar cheese.
• Broil until cheese melts.
• Top each with dollop of sour cream (optional).
• Serve immediately.