BEEF CHILI WITH STEWED PINTO BEANS

Beef Chili With Stewed Pinto Beans image

Provided by Moira Hodgson

Time 1h30m

Yield 6 to 8 servings

Number Of Ingredients 13

Ingredients

1 pound pinto beans
1 medium onion, chopped
Bouquet garni (thyme and pars- ley sprigs and bay leaf tied in a cheesecloth bag)
4 to 6 dried California or ancho chilies
Coarse salt and freshly ground pepper to taste
2 1/2 pounds stewing beef, cut in 1-inch cubes and trimmed of fat
2 tablespoons olive oil
3 cloves garlic, peeled
2 bay leaves
1 1/2 tablespoons browned toasted cumin seeds
1 tablespoon fresh oregano
2 to 3 tablespoons Hungarian paprika
1 tablespoon sugar

Steps:

Cover beans with water, bring to boil and drain. Add fresh water to cover. Add onion and bouquet garni and simmer gently, covered, for 30 minutes.
Using rubber gloves to protect your hands from juices, which can sting your eyes, remove stems and seeds from the chilies. Tear them into strips and place in large bowl. Add three cups boiling water and let the chilies soak for 30 minutes.
Season beans with salt and pepper; simmer until cooked (about 30 minutes more), adding more water if necessary. Discard bouquet garni.
Meanwhile, pat the meat cubes dry with paper towels. Heat oil in large, enameled cast-iron casserole. Brown cubes of meat a few at a time, turning them with tongs so that they brown on all sides. When all meat has been browned, return it to casserole.
Pour chilies and soaking liquid into bowl of a food processor or blender along with garlic. Blend until smooth (as two batches if you prefer).
Add chili-garlic liquid to meat along with remaining ingredients and three cups of water. Simmer for one hour, adding more water as necessary to keep chili from drying out. Taste and correct seasoning. (If chili isn't hot enough, add more paprika). Simmer for another 30 minutes.
Serve the beans separately.

Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 468, UnsaturatedFat 8 grams, Carbohydrate 47 grams, Fat 12 grams, Fiber 13 grams, Protein 45 grams, SaturatedFat 4 grams, Sodium 544 milligrams, Sugar 4 grams, TransFat 0 grams