Interstate Chili Recipes

THE BEST CHILI

Steps:

• Heat 2 tablespoons of the oil in a Dutch oven or large pot over medium-high heat. Add the beef and cook, breaking up the meat with a wooden spoon, until just browned, about 4 minutes. Transfer to a plate with a slotted spoon.
• Reduce the heat to medium and add the remaining 2 tablespoons oil. Add the onions and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened and lightly golden, about 10 minutes.
• Add the jalapeno and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened, about 5 minutes. Add the garlic and cook, stirring frequently, until fragrant, about 30 seconds.
• Add the chili powder, cumin, paprika, cayenne, 1/2 teaspoon salt and the tomato paste. Cook, stirring frequently, until coated and fragrant, about 1 minute.
• Stir in the beef broth and crushed tomatoes and bring to a boil over high heat. Stir in the cooked ground beef and any accumulated liquid, then reduce the heat to medium-low. Simmer the chili, partially covered, until the beef is tender and the sauce is slightly thickened, about 30 minutes.
• Stir in the beans and their liquid and simmer uncovered until the beans are softened and the chili is thickened, about 30 minutes more. Season with salt and pepper.
• Top with sour cream, Cheddar and scallions. Serve with tortilla chips.

SUNNY'S EASY BEEFY TEXAS CHILI

Steps:

• In a small bowl, mix the cumin, chile powder, oregano, pumpkin pie spice, 2 teaspoons salt and a few grinds of black pepper.
• In a large pot over medium heat, add the olive oil, beef cubes and half of the seasoning blend. Cook until the beef is browned on all sides but not cooked through, 5 to 7 minutes; remove with a slotted spoon to a plate. Add the onion, bell pepper, tomato paste, hot sauce, garlic and a pinch of salt to the pot. Cook, stirring, until everything turns a dark reddish brown, about 8 minutes.
• Add the ground beef and sprinkle over the remaining seasoning blend. Cook, stirring, until the beef is no longer pink, 5 to 7 minutes. Add the reserved beef chunks back to the pot along with the stock, wine or beer and cornmeal. Bring to a boil, then lower to a simmer and cook, partially covered and stirring occasionally, until the chili is thick and the liquid is reduced, 40 to 45 minutes.
• Spoon the chili into bowls and serve with sliced scallions, shredded cheese and tortilla chips.

SUNNY'S GAME DAY CHILI

Steps:

• In a large stock pot on medium-high heat add the vegetable oil, onion and jalapeno. Sprinkle with salt and saute until both are slightly tender. Remove the casing from the chorizo and add it to the pot. Using a wooden spoon or a potato masher, break up the links until they resemble ground meat. Saute until the orange-colored oil is released and the chorizo begins to slightly crisp about 10 minutes. Add the garlic, cumin, oregano, chili powder, thyme, paprika, red pepper flakes, tomatoes, and tomato paste. Stir all ingredients well and cook until the tomato skins begin to peel back and everything is a dark reddish-brown color, about 10 minutes.
• Add the turkey and gravy flavoring, then using a spoon or masher, break the ground turkey apart stirring frequently while cooking. Cook until the turkey is heated through, then add chicken stock, hot sauce, cinnamon stick, and salt and pepper, to taste. Stir in the cornmeal, lower to a simmer and cover. Cook for about 1 hour, stirring occasionally to release the chili from the bottom of the pot. Remove cinnamon stick when it begins to un-curl itself and soak up a bit of moisture becoming dense and hydrated, around 40 minutes into the simmer.
• Meanwhile, in a heavy pot or deep-fryer heat enough oil to fill the pot at least 3-inches deep to 350 degrees F. Stack the tortillas, a few at a time, and cut into 4 strips. When the oil reaches temperature, add 5 to 6 strips at a time and fry in batches until a tap from a spoon sounds hollow and bubbles begin to form on the strips, about 1 minute for each batch. Remove to a paper towel-lined plate and sprinkle each batch immediately with salt. About 30 minutes before serving add the cannellini beans to the chili and stir to heat through.
• Transfer the chili to a large serving bowl and serve with the tortilla chips and garnishes set up like a bar.

AMERICA'S FAVORITE CHILI

Steps:

• Heat a large pot over medium heat and add oil. Add beef and sprinkle with baking powder. Brown beef, stirring to break up into smaller chunks, until no longer pink, 5 to 10 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, remove beef to a bowl.
• Add onions to pot and turn heat down to low. Cook, stirring occasionally, until soft, 8 to 10 minutes. Stir in chile powder, cumin, smoked paprika, cayenne and oregano and cook for another 2 minutes to bloom. Add garlic and saute for 30 more seconds. Add beef stock, demi-glace, tomatoes and beans. Add beef back in along with any reserved juices and simmer, partially covered and stirring frequently, for 2 hours. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
• Garnish with scallions, cilantro, sour cream, pickled jalapenos and aged Cheddar.

MVP CHILI

Steps:

• 1. In a soup kettle or Dutch oven, cook sausage over medium heat until no longer pink and lightly browned.
• 2. Add onions and garlic; continue to cook and stir until tender.
• 3. Stir in beer and allow to simmer for 5 minutes.
• 4. Add tomatoes and tomato paste, cook uncovered for 8-10 minutes.
• 5. Stir in remaining ingredients and heat through.
• 6. Salt and pepper to taste.
• 7. Serve.