A REAL WINNER
The best part about this recipe is that, in spite of the long list of ingredients, it is VERY EASY TO MAKE!
I haven't won many competitions in my life. But at our recent church chili cook off, this recipe took FIRST PRIZE! I have made this chili several times, and have tweaked it to get the flavor and consistency that apparently was a winner with this very keen crowd. The recipe leans toward the spicy side, but you can tame it down by adding fewer peppers, milder salsa and omit the hot sauce. The history of Chili is mixed with about as many mysteries as there are ingredients in this recipe. Was it the invention of a Spanish Nun or a Western Cowboy? I will leave you to decide where it began. However, since "chili" has such a fascinating history, it seems utterly irresponsible not to provide a few fun facts, notable quotes, and curious stories about the history and development of this delightful dish.
SOME FUN FACTS AND QUOTES ABOUT CHILI:
- The full name for "chili" is "chili con carne" which is Spanish for "peppers with meat."
- Contrary to much popular opinion, chili is NOT a traditional Mexican dish
- Will Rogers (1879 - 1935) called chili a "bowl of blessedness."
- It is said the Jesse James, the infamous outlaw, refused to rob a bank in McKinney, Texas because that was the location of his favorite chili parlour!
- In the 1800's certain Spanish priests were quite concerned about this "fiery" concoction and even preached against it. They called it "The Devil's Soup."
- Benjamin Franklin is apparently the author of this litte rhyme about chili:
"In rain or snow,
To chili go.
You'll find it so,
for ought we know.
Time will show."
- The state I was born in, Illinois, was officially declared (by their own legislature of course) to be the official "Chilli capital of the civilized world" in 1993. And yes, they spelled it "Chilli" (with 2 L's). Maybe because it would then match the first 4 letters of the state name??
That's it. Now...onto the recipe that will knock your socks off! Here you have my AWARD WINNING CHILI RECIPE:
THE INGREDIENTS YOU WILL NEED:
Okay, here are the ingredients you will need to make this award winning chili recipe. The list is a bit long...but the results will be worth the investment:
- 2-1/4 pounds of ground beef, get a nice lean variety
- 2 teaspoons of oil (EVOO will do just fine)
- 2 medium onions, chopped
- 3-4 cloves of garlic, minced
- 1 can diced tomatoes (14.5 ounce can)
- 1 cup of a dark beer (you pick, Guiness and Magic Hat are both nice)
- 1 cup of strong coffee
- 2 cans of tomato paste (6 ounce cans)
- 1 can beef broth
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 3-1/2 tablespoons chili sauce
- 2/3 cup hot salsa
- 2 tablespoonfuls of Frank's hot sauce
- 1 tablespoonful cumin
- 1 tablespoonful cocoa
- 1 teaspoonful oregano
- 1 teaspoonful cayenne pepper powder
- 1 teaspoonful coriander
- 1 teaspoonful black pepper
- 2 teaspoonfuls salt
- 3 cans of kidney beans (15 ounce cans, drained)
- 4 green jalapeno peppers
STEPS TO SUCCESS
Now for the really fun part...putting it all together. This is easy! Just follow these steps and you will have your own award winning chili recipe to serve!
- Heat the oil in a large dutch oven, then add your onions, garlic and ground beef. Cook until brown. At this point, I like to drain the meat a little by pressing a large spoon into the mix and drawing out some of the fat. Toss this out.
- Add diced tomatoes, tomato paste, coffee, beer, and beef broth
- Add spices (items 14-20 above), brown sugar and then add in 2 cans of kidney beans and peppers. Let this simmer for about 1-1/2 hours.
- Add the final can of kidney beans. Add the chili sauce, salsa, and hot sauce. Allow this to simmer for about another 30 minutes.
