SHREDDED BEEF CHILI CON CARNE

Shredded Beef Chili Con Carne image

Provided by @MakeItYours

Number Of Ingredients 18

3 - 4lb / 1.5 - 2 kg beef chuck roast (or any other beef suitable for slow cooking) (see notes)
2 tbs olive oil (optional - for searing the beef)
8 cloves garlic, crushed
2 onions (white, yellow or brown), diced
1 large red capsicum (bell pepper), seeds removed and diced
1 tbsp smoked paprika
1 tbsp cumin
1 tbsp onion powder
1 tbsp garlic powder
1 tbsp oregano
1 tsp cayenne pepper (or to taste) (see notes)
3 tbsp cornflour / corn starch mixed with a splash of water
2 cans 15oz/400g red kidney beans, drained
28oz/800g can crushed or diced tomato
¼ cup tomato paste
1 cup water or beef stock
3 tsp salt, separated (plus more to taste)
Black pepper

Steps:

Cut the beef into two equal size pieces so you have two pieces roughly the same size.
Season the beef with 1 tsp salt and a good grind of black pepper.
Heat olive oil in a fry pan over high heat.
Add the onion and capsicum (bell peppers) and satue until caramelised, around 2 to 3 minutes. Transfer onion and capsicum into the slow cooker.
Return fry pan to high heat and add the beef. Sear the beef on all sides until well browned. Remove the beef and place into the slow cooker.
Pour the 1 cup of water into the fry pan and bring to simmer, scraping the bottom of the pan to mix the brown bits in. Pour the water into the slow cooker with the beef, making sure to get all the brown bits into the slow cooker.
If you did the Searing step, then add the remaining ingredients into the slow cooker (remember you already used the 1 cup of water to deglaze the pan so you don't need to add more).
If you chose not to do the Searing step, then simply place all the ingredients into the slow cooker.
Cook on high for 8 hours. This will make the beef "fall apart" at a touch.
Remove beef from slow cooker and shred with two forks.
Return shredded beef to slow cooker.
Adjust seasoning to taste with salt and pepper.
Serve with rice and garnishes of choice, such as sour cream, guacamole or diced avocado, grated cheese, coriander/cilantro.