In America Chili is serious business. Wars have been fought over what makes the perfect chili. Beans or no beans? What is the tomato to meat ratio? So many components to consider.
Well my chili is a meaty chunky affair, seasoned with two types of dried chile and one fresh chile to provide a rounded heat. Instead of minced (ground) beef i opt for chunks of beef that yield to the fork after a long slow cooking.
Purists look away, I add chickpeas to the mix. They add a lovely contrast to the kidney beans.
Keep you spoons in the drawer, because my friends this is chile made for a fork.
Chunky Chili Con Carne
2 Tbs Chile Pasilla Powder (Cool Chile Company)
1 Tbs chipotle chile powder (Cool Chile Company)
1 Tbs ground cumin
2 tsps Mexican Oregano (Cool Chile Company)
1 tsps thyme
1/2 tsps ground coriander
Vegetable oil
1kg stewing steak, cut into 1/2-inch cubes
1 medium white onion, chopped
3 cloves garlic, minced
2 jalapeño chili peppers, stems removed, seeded, ribs removed, minced
2 400g cans whole tomatoes
1 400g can red kidney beans, drained and rinsed
1 400g can chickpeas, drained and rinsed
In a small bowl mix the chili powder, chipotle chili powder, ground cumin, oregano, thyme, and ground coriander. Mix in enough water so that chili forms a light paste. Set aside.
In a cast iron casserole heat a small about of oil. Working in batches so that you don't crowd the beef (crowding will steam cook the meat instead of browning it), brown the beef cubes on all sides, lightly salting as you cook the beef. Remove beef from pan, set aside.
Add another tablespoon of oil. Add the chopped onions and sauté until soft golden, about 5 minutes. Add the garlic and jalapeño, cook until fragrant, 1 minute more. Add the chili paste and cook till fragrant.
Return the beef to the pan. Add the tomatoes and 500ml water. Heat the chili on medium high heat until it comes to a simmer. Then reduce the heat to low. Cover and cook for 1 1/2 hours. Then uncover and cook for another half hour, keeping the temperature at a place where you can maintain a simmer.
Gently mix in the kidney beans and chickpeas. season At this point you can also add a little more chili powder if you desire more heat.
Serve with Jalapeno Cornbread and rice.
