Tex-Mex Chili
Hardy Chili (Serves 10-12)
We've put everything but the kitchen sink in this classic version of chili.
1 lb. ground beef 1 lb. ground pork 1 large onion 2 stalks celery (sliced) 3 large garlic cloves (minced or crushed) 3 T chili powder (see sidebar) 1 1/2 tsp. cumin 2 14-oz. cans diced tomatoes 12 oz. tomato juice 1 C beef broth 1/2 C beer 2 bay leaves 1 small can jalapeños (chopped) 1 red or green bell pepper (diced) 1 ½ tsp. oregano 15-oz. can red kidney beans (drained) salt & pepper to taste
In a large pot, sauté onion and celery for 5-7 minutes. Add beef and pork, stirring till brown. Add garlic, chili powder, and cumin and stir for 3 minutes. Add all other ingredients except beans and simmer, covered, for 3 hours. Stir frequently.
After 3 hours add beans and heat till beans are warmed through. Serve plain or over rice. Garnish with sour cream, chopped onions, and grated cheese.
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Tips & Glossary
Plenty of heat! For many that’s the pleasure of Tex-Mex food. But if you’re sensitive to throat-burning, eye-popping peppers, then turn the heat down—just reduce the peppers.
• Chili Powder: dried ground chili peppers typically mixed with cumin, garlic powder, and oregano. You can make your own blend, adding cinnamon, cloves, coriander, paprika, and nutmeg. Briefly heat dried peppers in a skillet to release flavors, then grind them into powder.
• Chorizo: a spicey pork sausage. OurTex-Mex recipes use the Mexican version—fresh pork which is cooked before eating. Spanish Chorizo is cured, ready to eat like pepperoni. If unavailable use a hot Italian sausage.
• Chili Pepper: any small hot pepper, as opposed to larger, milder bell peppers; includes, cayenne (red), chipotle (smoke-dried jalapeños), habanero, jalapeño, paprika, poblano, serrano, and tabasco.
• Chimichanga: a deep fried tortilla, filled with rice, beans, cheese, or meat, and folded into a rectangular packet. It's thought to have originated in Arizona.
• Coriander: also known as cilantro and Mexican or Chinese parsley. Both fresh leaves and dried ground seeds are used in Mexican, Mid-East, Asian, and Indian cuisines.
• Cumin: an aromatic kin to the parsley and carrot plant; an important ingredient in chili powder Used especially in Indian curries, but also in Mexican, Thai and Asian dishes. It has an earthy, peppery flavor.
• Enchilada: made using corn tortillas, dipped in a sauce, filled and rolled up. They are placed in a casserole dish, topped with sauce and cheese, then baked.
• Quesadilla: (kay-sa-dee-ya), literally, “little cheese thing.” In Tex-Mex cooking it has come to mean a sort of grilled cheese sandwich, using two tortillas filled primarily with cheese, grilled in a skillet or griddle, then cut into wedges.
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