Aunt Paulettes Chili Recipes

WORLD'S BEST CHILI

Steps:

• Heat the oil in a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Once the oil is hot, add the onion, peppers, and celery and sauté until soft, about 4 minutes. Add the garlic and sauté for 1 to 2 minutes, just until fragrant. Stir in the beef, breaking it up with the back of your wooden spoon, and cook until browned, about 5 minutes.
• Stir in the chili powder, cumin, oregano, and cayenne and sauté for about 2 minutes more. Stir the tomato paste into the beef; this will intensify the flavor. Add both cans of diced tomatoes with their juices, the beer, and all the beans, stirring to combine.
• Bring the chili to a boil, then reduce to a simmer, cover with a lid, and cook on medium-low for a good 2 hours, stirring on occasion to keep the chili from sticking to the bottom of the pan.
• Cook's Note: One of the best things about making a big pot of chili is that you can freeze the leftovers. All the flavors will continue to marry together so it'll be even better when you reheat it.

EDNA JONES'S MEAT AND BEAN CHILI

Steps:

• Start by browning the ground beef in a large pot. Get two big yellow onions that could make the neighborhood cry. Quarter the onions and then slice them about 1/3 of an inch thick. (I like the onion pieces big so that they don't disappear in the chili.) When the meat is mostly browned, add the onions and cook until the meat is browned and the onions start to soften.
• Drain the liquid from all of the beans and add them in. Add crushed tomato, tomato paste and spices. Simmer on low (covered) for about an hour, stirring frequently. Uncover the chili and taste for seasoning. Add cayenne pepper and Durkee Red Hot sauce to taste. Cook uncovered for another hour until it starts to thicken. Don't forget to stir frequently.
• Serve in generous bowls with shredded cheddar on top and an ice-cold beer on the side.

MOM'S PERFECT CHILI

Steps:

• Heat 1 1/2 teaspoons oil in large Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add ground beef and cook, crumbling with a spoon until evenly browned and cooked through, about 8 minutes. Drain and set aside.
• Add remaining oil to the pot and return to medium-high heat. Add onion and saute, stirring often, until translucent, about 5 minutes. Add poblano, bell, and jalapeno peppers and garlic; cook, stirring frequently until softened, about 5 minutes.
• Stir in chili powder, cumin, paprika, sugar, salt, pepper, garlic powder, cayenne, and oregano; cook for 1 minute. Add beer and stir, scraping any small brown bits from the bottom of the pot. Add crushed and fire-roasted tomatoes, tomato puree, beef stock, chipotle pepper, and adobo sauce; stir until well combined. Bring to a simmer, stirring often.
• Stir in beef and kidney beans; return to a simmer. Cover, reduce heat to low, and simmer, stirring occasionally, for at least 3 hours.

AUNT ANNIE'S CHICKEN CHILI

Steps:

• Heat 3 T. oil in dutch oven and saute chicken until no longer pink.
• Remove chicken and wipe pot dry.
• Heat remaining oil and saute onion, garlic, pepper and cumin 5 minutes.
• Stir in chili powder, oregano, tomatoes, tomato sauce and beer.
• Add chicken, cover and simmer for 20 minutes.
• Add beans, corn and olives.
• Simmer 15 minutes longer.
• Stir in cilantro.
• Top with cheddar and sour cream.
• Serve.

AUNT ISABELLE'S CINCINNATI CHILI

Steps:

• Heat oil in large soup kettle.
• Add onions and garlic; saute till onions are tender.
• Add meat(s) and saute until browned.
• Add spices and saute for 2 minutes.
• Add tomatoes, tomato paste, vinegar, honey, salt & pepper.
• Reduce heat to low and simmer at least one hour, or until serving time (or transfer to slow cooker).
• Serve with any or all optional ingredients to achieve 1-, 2-, 3-, 4-, or 5-way Cincinnati Chili.

AUNT PAULETTE'S CHILI

Steps:

• Brown burger with onion and garlic. Drain fat if needed.
• Mix in all other ingredients and simmer 30 minutes.
• Add more sugar if it tastes off.
• Serve hot with cheddar cheese and corn chips!