New Mexico Red Bean Chili Recipes

ANTHONY BOURDAIN'S NEW MEXICO BEEF CHILI RECIPE

Steps:

• Preheat broiler and position rack as close to the broiler heat source. Line the bottom of a broiling pan with aluminum foil (this will catch any juices from the peppers). Place poblano peppers on top of the broiling pan. Place under the broiler. Let cook until peppers' skin is blackened, turning peppers with tongs so they blacken on all sides, approximately 10 to 15 minutes.
• Place peppers in a large plastic bag and loosely seal for 30 minutes. Remove and discard as much of the blackened skin as possible along with the stems and seeds. Use your hands. Don't rinse peppers under water, you'll rinse away flavor. If you want your chili to be hotter, leave in some of the seeds (source of the peppers' heat). Coarsely chop peppers and set aside.
• Repeat this roasting process for the hatch chile peppers. If you're using frozen (no need to thaw) or canned peppers (no need to drain), they are likely already roasted, peeled and seeded. In some cases they are already coarsely chopped, too - if not, then coarsely chop them and set aside.
• In a large mixing bowl, whisk together flour and about 2 teaspoons each of salt and freshly ground pepper. Toss beef in the flour mixture to coat. Heat 2 tablespoons of oil in a Dutch oven (at least 5 quarts) over medium-high heat until just smoking. Add beef in batches and sear until dark brown on all sides. Be sure not to crowd beef too much. Using tongs, remove cooked beef to a plate. Continue to cook remaining beef in batches, so you're not crowding the beef pieces.
• Add onion, garlic and jalapeño peppers to the pot and season with salt and freshly ground pepper. Cook over medium-high heat, scraping the bottom of the pot with a wooden spoon to dislodge browned bits. Add an additional tablespoon of oil if necessary to keep the caramelized bits of onion mixture and beef (know as "fond") from scorching. You can also add a splash of stock at this point. Cook for about 5 to 7 minutes or until the onion has begun to soften and brown.
• Add cumin, coriander and Mexican oregano and cook for an additional 2 minutes.
• Stir in tomato paste and beer. Bring to a boil and cook until liquid has reduced by about two-thirds. Scraping the bottom of the pan to loosen any bits of fond.
• Stir in stock and return beef to pot. Add reserved poblano and hatch chili peppers. Bring to a boil and reduce heat to a simmer. Cook, covered for 2-1/2 hours or until beef is fork tender.
• Remove chili from heat and serve in bowls with chopped cilantro, corn chips or flour tortillas and a wedge of lime. A splash of acid always brightens the flavor.

VEGETARIAN RED BEAN CHILI

Steps:

• In a 4-qt. slow cooker, combine all ingredients. Cover and cook on low for 5-6 hours or until heated through. Serve with sour cream and cheddar cheese if desired.

NEW MEXICO RED CHILE SAUCE

Steps:

• Coat the bottom of a heavy saucepan with oil; add chile pods. Toast over medium heat until aromatic, about 3 minutes.
• Stir in onion and garlic; cook and stir until fragrant, about 5 minutes. Add enough chicken stock to allow pods to float; simmer until they develop the texture of wet leather, 5 to 7 minutes.
• Fill blender halfway with chile-stock mixture. Cover and hold lid down with a potholder; pulse a few times before leaving on to blend. Pour into a bowl; repeat with remaining mixture. Strain sauce through a fine mesh strainer into a saucepan over medium heat. Discard solids.
• Stir cumin, coriander, and oregano into the saucepan; add honey. Cook until sauce is thick and evenly coats the back of a spoon, about 10 minutes.

NEW MEXICO RED BEAN CHILI

Steps:

• Crumble beef into 5 to 6 quart pan over high heat. Cook; stirring, until beef is wel l browned. Lift our meat and set aside. Discard all but 2 tablespoons of the drippings. To drippings, add onion and cook, stirring often, until onion is soft. Meanwhile, purée pimentos and their liquid in blender. Return beef to pan with pimento purée, broth tomatoes (break up with spoon) and their liquid, all spice, cumin, coriander, oregano, ground chile, and beans. Bring to boil; then reduce heat, cover, and simmer for 45 min. Uncover and continue to simmer until thickened to your liking; stir often.

SPICY RED PORK AND BEAN CHILI

Steps:

• Cook bacon in a 6- to 8-quart heavy pot over moderate heat, turning, until crisp. Transfer with tongs to paper towels to drain and pour off all but 2 tablespoons fat from pot. Crumble bacon. Pat pork dry and season with salt and pepper. Add oil to pot and heat over moderately high heat until hot but not smoking. Brown pork in about 6 batches without crowding and transfer with a slotted spoon to a plate. Add onion and jalapeños and cook over moderate heat, stirring, until softened. Add garlic, oregano, chili powder, cumin, and cayenne, then cook, stirring, 1 minute. Return pork to pot with any juices accumulated on plate and add broth, coffee, water, and tomatoes with purée.
• Simmer chili, uncovered, stirring occasionally, until pork is very tender, about 2 hours. Stir in beans and bring to a simmer, stirring.
• Serve chili with bacon and accompaniments.