Big Daddys Texas Red Chili Recipes

BIG DADDY'S TEXAS RED CHILI

Steps:

• Beef should be "course chili grind" or sliced into 1/4-inch or less strips about 1-inch long. Anaheim chiles are frequently called green chiles in the market.
• Remove the seeds and stem from the Ancho chiles. Put the chiles into a small saucepan and cover with water. Bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer for 15 minutes. When done remove from heat, cover and set aside.
• While the chiles are simmering brown the ground pork, drain and set aside. Heat the olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the beef round and ground black pepper to taste, to the pot. Break up any lumps and cook, stirring occasionally until the meat is evenly browned.
• Stir in the ground chili powder, salt, cumin, garlic, bay leaf and onions. Add beef broth to barely cover. Bring to a boil, then lower the heat and simmer, uncovered, for 30 minutes (adding more broth if necessary).
• While the beef and onions are simmering place the Ancho chiles in a blender with about ¼ cup of the water from the saucepan and whir until pureed. Stir the pureed Anchos and all remaining ingredients into the meat mixture and simmer for a ½ hour.
• For best results allow chili to cool completely and then reheat.

DADDY'S 'IF THEY'DA HAD THIS AT THE ALAMO WE WOULD'HA WON!' TEXAS CHILI

Steps:

• Melt the bacon drippings in a large heavy pot over medium heat. Add the onions and cook until they are translucent.
• Combine the beef with the garlic, ground chile, chili powder and cumin. Add this meat-and-spices to the onions in the pot. Break up any meat that sticks together as you cook, stirring occasionally, about 30 minutes, until meat is evenly browned (very browned, not just gray). Sprinkle in Hungarian paprika and oregano.
• Pour in the tomato sauce, tomato paste, water, salt, parsley and jalapeno. Bring to a boil, then lower the heat and simmer, uncovered, for 1 hour. NOTE: True Texans DO NOT add beans to their chili, but my husband loves them, so this is the point where you can add as many cans of drained and rinsed pinto beans as you wish (I add 2 cans, but shhhhhh don't tell my Daddy!!!).
• During cooking you may squeeze the jalapeno as it softens against the sides of the pot to release more heat if desired.
• Mix in the masa harina, and cook while stirring for 30 minutes longer, or until desired consistency is achieved. Taste and adjust seasonings.

BASIC TEXAS RED

Steps:

• Chile Paste - Wearing rubber gloves, stem and seed the chile pods and cover with near-boiling water. Let steep for 30 minutes, then pour off the water and puree the softened pods in a food processor until they form a paste. Pass through a sieve to remove skins and errant seeds. Set aside.
• Chili - Dice the chuck neatly into 1/2 to 3/4-inch cubes (partially freeze the meat for easier dicing).
• Heat the bacon fat in a really big skillet, and working in batches, saute the beef and pork until no longer pink. Drain off the fat.
• Place the meat, along with several grinds of pepper, the onions and garlic, in your favorite chili pot and add 1 1/2 cups of the beef or chicken broth. Bring to a boil, lower to a simmer, and cover. Keep the lid on, and your hands off, for 90 minutes.
• After 90 minutes, stir in the chili powder, cumin, oregano, salt, tomato sauce, chocolate and half the chile paste. Cover and cook for another half-hour or so.
• Check for consistency. If it's too thin, scoop out the meat and reduce the sauce by bringing to a boil, and when you're happy with it, return the meat to the pot. Stir in the brown sugar. (If it's too thick, add some more of the broth.) Or, simply add the maize flour and let simmer 5 minutes.
• Cook, uncovered, for 10 more minutes, and check for seasoning. You can add more salt, chili powder and cumin if you like, or more chile paste if you want to amp it up, or more brown sugar if you like it sweet and hot.
• Serve with a squeeze of lime and a dollop of sour cream. Have cheese handy. And serve with a bowl of beans on the side, if you must.