Heidis Famous Chili Recipes

CHASEN'S FAMOUS CHILI

Steps:

• In 4- to 5-quart Dutch oven, place beans and enough water to cover beans by 2 inches. Heat to boiling; boil 2 minutes. Remove from heat. Cover; let stand 1 hour. Drain.
• Add 3 cups water to beans. Heat to boiling; reduce heat. Cover; simmer 1 hour 30 minutes or until beans are tender. Stir in tomatoes; cook 5 minutes.
• Meanwhile, in 12-inch nonstick skillet, heat oil over medium-high heat. Cook bell peppers and onions in oil 8 minutes, stirring frequently, until tender. Add parsley and garlic; cook 1 minute. Add beef, pork, chili powder, salt, cumin and pepper; cook 8 minutes, stirring occasionally, until beef and pork are thoroughly cooked.
• Stir meat mixture into bean mixture. Heat to boiling; reduce heat. Cover; simmer 30 minutes.

BEST DAMN CHILI

Steps:

• Heat oil in a large pot over medium heat; cook and stir onion, bell pepper, Anaheim pepper, jalapeno peppers, and garlic in the hot oil until softened.
• Meanwhile, heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook and stir beef in the hot skillet until browned and crumbly, 5 to 7 minutes; add Worcestershire sauce and garlic powder. Crumble bouillon cubes over beef and add beer. Continue to cook , scraping any browned bits from the bottom of the skillet, until liquid is hot, about 3 minutes. Stir beef mixture into pepper mixture.
• Stir crushed tomatoes, diced tomatoes, tomato paste, and wine to the beef mixture. Season with chili powder, 2 tablespoons cumin, brown sugar, pepper sauce, basil, paprika, salt, oregano, and black pepper. Bring to a boil and reduce heat to medium-low. Cover and simmer until meat and vegetables are very tender and flavors have developed in the chili, about 90 minutes, stirring occasionally.
• Mix kidney beans into beef and vegetables. Continue to simmer until beans are hot, about 30 minutes more.
• Blend sour cream, cilantro, and remaining 1/2 teaspoon cumin in a food processor until smooth. Serve sour cream mixture with chili.

HEIDI'S FAMOUS CHILI

Steps:

• Brown ground beef in a little oil or water, add onions.
• Add chili powder and RO-TEL diced tomatoes/chiles, stir and heat for several minutes.
• Add HOT chili beans (I use Brooks' Hot Chili Beans but you can use whatever brand is available--if you aren't "into" hot, you can try any style of chili beans). I rinse the cans and add 1/2 a can (1/2 cup) of water per can of beans so there's extra water for noodles. If you're not using noodles, don't add the water.
• After this mixture has heated, I add the 2 large cans of tomatoes, juice and all. Simmer. Add the 2 squares of unsweetened baking chocolate--it adds an extra dimension to the flavor of the tomatoes.
• When this is near-boiling, add noodles if you're going to. Simmer until these are done.
• Taste-test--you can add more chili powder if you like it really spicy.
• Remove from heat for 5-10 minutes and let rest. Stir once more before serving. It should have a nice, thick texture, not too runny. Makes 10 hearty servings, holds its flavor for leftovers.
• Serve with cornbread muffins, mexican cheese or mild cheddar, sour cream, and oyster crackers.
• Everytime I make this, I try to improve it. The recipe is a work in progress! Last night I added some garlic powder to the mix and it was quite good. I've added vermouth at times, tequila, beer (not so crazy about this), stewed whole tomatoes instead of diced (use 3 cans of whole tomatoes), and green peppers if they're available. It's all a matter of taste.
• Enjoy!

CHASEN'S FAMOUS CHILI

Steps:

• Rinse beans, put in a bowl and add water so that it extends 2 inches above beans.
• Allow to soak overnight.
• Transfer beans AND water to a large stock pot.
• Simmer, covered, in the same water until tender, about 2 to 2 1/2 hours.
• Add tomatoes and simmer 5 minutes.
• Heat oil in large skillet and sauté green peppers slowly 5 minutes.
• Add onions and cook until tender, stirring frequently.
• Add garlic and parsley.
• In a second large skillet, melt butter and sauté beef and pork 15 minutes.
• Add meat to onion mixture, stir in chili powder and cook 10 minutes.
• Add meat mixture to beans in large pot.
• Season with salt, pepper, and cumin.
• Simmer, covered, 1 hour.
• Remove cover and cook 30 minutes longer.
• Skim fat off top.
• NOTE: This chili freezes very well.