Lady Bug 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.

LADY BUG CHILI

Steps:

• Make 3 seasoning packets, as follows:.
• Packet #1: mix together 1 tablespoon onion powder, 2 teaspoons of garlic powder and 1 tablespoon of chili powder.
• Packet #2: mix together 5 tablespoons of chili power, 2 teaspoons of cumin, black pepper, cayenne pepper, beef bullion and chicken bullion, brown sugar and adobo sauce.
• Packet #3: mix together 2 teaspoons chili powder, 1 tsp cumin and salt.
• In a 4-quart pot, brown the ground beef. After browning, drain the meat. Add back to pot along with 1 can of beef broth and the tomato sauce. Place 1 jalapeno pepper and 1 serrano pepper in the pot. Bring mixture to a boil and add packet #1.
• Cover and simmer on medium-low heat for 1 hour. Remove peppers, squeeze juice into separate container and set aside. Replace lid and continue simmering meat mixture for another 15 minutes. Add packet #2.
• Simmer, covered, for 30 minutes. Add the juice from the peppers and packet #3.
• Cover and simmer for another 15-20 minutes.
• Serve with chopped onions and grated cheese.

THE ULTIMATE CHILI

Steps:

• In a large skillet over medium-high heat, cook ground beef until evenly browned. Drain off grease, and season to taste with salt and pepper.
• In a slow cooker, combine the cooked beef, kidney beans, tomatoes, celery, red bell pepper, and red wine vinegar. Season with chili powder, cumin, parsley, basil and Worcestershire sauce. Stir to distribute ingredients evenly.
• Cook on High for 6 hours, or on Low for 8 hours. Pour in the wine during the last 2 hours.

LADY BIRD JOHNSON'S PEDERNALES RIVER CHILI

Steps:

• Cook the meat, onion and garlic in a Dutch oven over medium heat, stirring, until lightly browned. Stir in the oregano, cumin, chile powder, tomatoes, hot sauce, salt and 2 cups hot water. Bring to a boil, lower heat and simmer, covered, for about 1 hour, skimming off the fat as it cooks.