Ancho Beef Chili Recipes

ANCHO BEEF CHILI

Steps:

• Place a medium saucepot over medium-high heat with the beef stock and ancho chilies
• Bring the liquid to a bubble then reduce heat to medium and simmer for 15 minutes until chilies have softened
• Transfer mixture to a blender or food processor and -- very carefully, this mixture is very hot! -- puree it until smooth
• Reserve
• While the chilies are simmering, place a large, heavy-bottomed pot over medium-high heat with 2 turns of the pan of EVOO, about 2 tablespoons
• Add the sirloin and cook until golden brown, 6-7 minutes
• Add the onion, garlic, raisins and spices to the pan, season with salt and pepper, and cook until the veggies are tender, 5-6 minutes
• Add the tomato paste to the pan and cook until deep golden brown and aromatic, about 1 minute
• Add the blended stock-chile mixture to the pot and bring the liquids up to a bubble
• While that's working, in a food processor combine the cilantro, avocado, sour cream, lime zest and juice and a splash of water (a couple of tablespoons)
• Season the mixture with salt and pepper, and puree until smooth
• Preheat a broiler or turn a gas burner on high heat and roast the poblano pepper until it is soft and its skin is charred
• Place the roasted pepper in a bowl, cover tightly with plastic wrap, let cool and chop
• Place a large skillet over medium heat
• Add 1 tortilla to the pan and cook about 1 minute per side, until it starts to blister
• Scatter 1/2 cup pepper jack cheese on top and cook until cheese is melted
• Top with the chopped poblano pepper and a second tortilla
• Flip quesadilla and cook for another minute, slice into quarters
• Add the avocado mixture to the pot of chili, stirring to incorporate
• Serve the chili garnished with toasted pumpkin seeds and a little cheese with the quesadilla alongside

ANCHO CHILI-RUBBED BEEF ROAST

Steps:

• Heat oven to 325 degrees F. Combine rub ingredients; (all ingredients following the roast listed, minus the oil) and reserve 2 Tbs. for potatoes. Press remaining rub onto the beef. Use beef round tip roast.
• Place roast on rack in a shallow roasting pan. Insert oven proof meat thermometer so tip is centered in thickest part of the beef, not resting in fat. (Do not overcook.).
• Meanwhile, mix reserved rub and oil and toss with potatoes. Roast Potatoes in a greased baking pan, covered for 1 hour. After 1 hour stir potatoes and leave pan uncovered and cook for another 10 to 15 minutes or until the potatoes are tender.
• Put the potatoes in the oven during the last hour before roast should be done. I figure in resting time for roast or you can keep the potatoes warm in your convection oven which is what I do, cover back on.
• Remove the roast when the meat thermometer registers 140 degrees for medium rare; 155 degrees for medium. Let stand for 15 minutes and then carve the roast. Season with salt to your taste.
• Important - Let the roast stand and rest before cutting or it for 15 minutes or it won't cut nicely!
• Serve with potatoes.

BEEF CHILI WITH ANCHO, RED BEANS, AND CHOCOLATE

Steps:

• Making chili is nothing more than mounting layers of flavor and letting them all simmer together. Get in the habit of tasting recipes in stages; this way if something is not quite right, adjustments can be made on the spot.
• Toast the ancho chile pieces over low heat in a dry skillet until fragrant, shaking the pan so they don't scorch. Put the chilies in a mini food processor and pulse to a powder. This homemade chile powder will add a smoky depth to the chili. Season the beef shoulder all over with salt and pepper and then put it in a large soup pot. Add enough water to cover by 1 inch, about 3 quarts, and place over medium heat. Bring to a boil and skim off any foam that rises to the surface. Mix in the onions, garlic, chipotles, and jalapeño. Stir in the chili powder, coriander, cumin, paprika, oregano, cinnamon, sugar, and the powdered ancho chilies. Pour the entire can of tomatoes with their liquid into a bowl and hand-crush until chunky; add it to the pot along with the tomato paste. Simmer until the meat is fork-tender and comes apart with no resistance, about 2 hours. As it cooks down, add more water if necessary. When done, take a wooden spoon and beat the chili vigorously so the meat comes apart in shreds.
• Add the next layer of flavor by stirring in the beans and cornmeal. Season with salt and pepper and simmer for 1 hour, stirring occasionally. Cover the pot only partially so the steam doesn't get trapped under the lid and drip down into the chili, making it watery. In the last 5 minutes of cooking, stir in the grated chocolate. Garnish each serving with the shredded Cheddar cheese and Saltine crackers.

BEEF CHILI WITH ANCHO, RED BEANS AND CHOCOLATE

Steps:

• Toast the ancho chile pieces over low heat in a dry skillet until fragrant, shaking the pan so they don't scorch.
• Put the chiles in a food processor and pulse until they are powder.
• Cut the beef into large and season with salt and pepper.
• Put beef in large soup pot and add enough water to cover by one inch.
• Place over medium heat and bring to a boil.
• Skim off any foam that rises to the surface.
• Mix in onions, garlic, chipotles, and jalapeño.
• Stir in the chili powder, coriander, cumin, paprika, oregano, sugar, cinnamon, and powdered ancho chilies.
• Pour the entire can of tomatoes into a bowl and crush by hand until chunky.
• Add tomatoes and tomato paste to the pot.
• Simmer for 2 hours.
• As it cooks down you can add more water if necessary (we didn't need to but you may).
• When done, take a wooden spoon and beat chili vigorously so that meat comes apart in shreds.
• (I used two forks like I do with pulled pork).
• Stir in beans and corn meal.
• Cover only partially (so the chili doesn't get watery).
• Simmer for one hour stirring occasionally In the last 5 minutes, stir in the chocolate.
• Before serving, garnish with cheddar.

ANCHO BEER CHILI

Steps:

• In a shallow bowl, pour boiling water over ancho peppers, just enough to cover them, and leave set for about a half hour, or until peppers are soft. Then remove stems and seeds from peppers (use latex gloves while doing this). Place the peppers and the water in a food processor and puree them.
• Brown the ground meat with the garlic. Drain.
• Fry the sausage until cooked. Drain.
• In a large pot combine ground meat, sausage, ancho puree, onion, green chilies, mushrooms, tomatoes, tomato sauce, and beer.
• Mix together the salt, black pepper, cumin, cayenne, oregano, and chili powder.
• Add about half ofd the spice mix to the chili and mix thoroughly. Bring to a boil then reduce heat and simmer for 45 minutes, stirring occasionally.
• Add beans and the rest of the spice mix. stir and simmer for another 15 minutes.