Best Never Entered In A Contest But Still Super Good Chili Recipes

EDDIE'S AWARD WINNING CHILI

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to broil (500ºF) Set an oven rack at the top, directly under the broiler. Spread the chiles out on a low-sided oven tray and roast for 15-20 minutes, turning peppers with tongs every five minutes, until their skins are about 60-70% blackened on all sides. Put the hot peppers directly into a paper bag. Roll down the top of the bag so they're tightly contained. Let them sit and steam for 15-20 minutes until the skins are loosened and easy to peel off. Peel off skins, remove seeds and membranes, and chop.
• Add the bacon grease and oil to a large heavy pot or Dutch oven (6-quart), over medium-high heat. Add the chopped chiles, red bell peppers, jalapeño peppers and onions. Cook for 5 minutes or until the vegetables just start to become translucent. Add garlic and cook 1 minute longer. Transfer all the sautéed vegetables to a bowl and set aside. No need to wash the pot, you'll use it to brown the meat.
• Add the cubed beef chuck to the pot and cook, stirring often, until lightly browned on all sides, about 4 minutes. Add the ground beef and sausage and cook for 7-10 minutes, stirring to break up the sausage and ground beef, until the meat is no longer pink. Return the cooked vegetables to the pot along with the reserved bacon.
• chili powders, cayenne, coriander, cumin, granulated garlic, granulated onion, paprika, salt and black pepper. Cook, stirring, for 1 minute, until fragrant.
• Add the tomato sauce and paste. Cook, stirring, for 2 minutes, to combine. Add beer, chicken stock, kidney beans with their liquid and pinto beans with their liquid. Bring to a boil, lower to a simmer, and cook for 2 hours, uncovered.
• Ladle chili into bowls. Top with garnishes or put garnishes into small bowls for self serve.

NEVER-ENTERED-IN-A-CONTEST-BUT-STILL-SUPER-GOOD CHILI

Steps:

• In a skillet, brown meat. Drain and set aside.
• Spray a large (6- or 7-qt.) pot with nonstick cooking spray and heat over medium heat. Add the onion, bell peppers, garlic, and celery, and saute briefly.
• Stir in the diced tomatoes and the Rotel.
• Add several shakes of cumin and chili powder (I do it until I can smell them -- you can always add more later), and also the italian seasoning, basil and oregano, if using.
• Cook for about 8 minutes, or until the vegetables are tender.
• Add the beans, browned meat, red pepper flakes, and chili seasoning.
• Partially cover, and simmer for at least 4 hours.
• Serve with shredded cheese and cornbread, if desired.

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.

COWBOY CHILI

Steps:

• In a large saucepan, cook ground beef, garlic and onion over medium heat, stirring until beef is browned, about 10 minutes.
• Drain well.
• Stir tomatoes with liquid, broth, chili powder, cumin, oregano and cayenne pepper into beef mixture.
• Reduce heat to low.
• Cover and simmer, stirring occasionally, for 1 hour.
• Add pinto beans and salt.
• Cook stirring, for 15 minutes longer.
• note: The flavor of the chili actually improves once the ingredients blend making this the perfect do-ahead meal.
• Refrigerate chili until ready to use, then reheat over low heat.