Shortcut Chili Recipes

SHORT RIB CHILI

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F.
• Arrange the short ribs on a large sheet of foil. Sprinkle all over with 1 teaspoon salt and 1 teaspoon pepper.
• Bring the New Mexico chiles, ancho chiles and 1 1/2 cups water to a simmer in a medium saucepan over high heat. Cover, reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer until the chiles are just tender, 5 to 6 minutes. Transfer the mixture to a blender. Holding the top on firmly, blend until the chile puree is smooth.
• Heat the oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Add the short ribs in batches and brown on all sides, 5 to 6 minutes per batch, transferring the short ribs to a bowl each time.
• Add the garlic and red onions to the drippings in the pot. Saute until the onions soften, about 5 minutes. Mix in the cumin and oregano. Add the chile puree from the blender, the broth, agave, and espresso; stir to blend. Return the short ribs and any juices from the bowl to the pot; stir to coat. Bring to a simmer. Cover and place the pot in the oven. Braise until the ribs are very tender, about 2 hours 30 minutes.
• Tilt the pot. Spoon off and discard any fat that rises to the surface and pools at the lower end. Using tongs, transfer the ribs and any loose bones to a rimmed baking sheet. Carefully cut the membrane off each piece of meat (try to cut away only the membrane and not any meat). Discard the membranes and all bones. Cut the meat into small (scant 1/2-inch) cubes. Return the meat to the sauce in the pot. Mix in the black beans. Season the chili with about 1/4 teaspoon each of salt and pepper. If desired, add the adobo sauce by teaspoonfuls to increase the spiciness. Transfer the chili to a large bowl. Sprinkle with the green onions.
• Spoon the Creamy Corn Polenta into deep bowls. Ladle chili over. Sprinkle generously with chocolate. Serve with the garnishes.
• Bring the broth, 2 1/2 cups water, butter and 1 teaspoon salt to a boil in a heavy, large saucepan over high heat. Gradually whisk in the polenta. Continue to whisk until the polenta begins to thicken, 2 to 3 minutes. Reduce the heat to low. Cover and cook until the polenta is very thick and tender, stirring often with a flat-bottom spoon or heatproof rubber spatula to prevent sticking or burning, about 20 minutes. Blend the corn in a mini processor until a coarse puree forms. Stir the corn puree into the polenta. Season with more salt if desired.

QUICK AND EASY CHILI

Steps:

• In a large saucepan, cook the beef, onion and green pepper over medium heat until the meat is no longer pink; drain. Add the next 6 ingredients; cover and simmer for 20 minutes. Serve with cheese if desired.

SHORTCUT CHICKEN CHILI

Steps:

• Heat the olive oil in a Dutch oven or wide pot over medium-high heat. Add the onion, bell pepper, a pinch of salt and a few grinds of pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables soften, about 5 minutes. Stir in the sweet potato, garlic, chili powder and cumin and cook until combined, about 3 minutes.
• Stir in the tomatoes, chili beans with their sauce and 2 cups water. Bring to a simmer and cook, stirring, until the chili thickens slightly, 10 to 15 minutes. Stir in the chicken until just heated through, about 1 minute. Remove from the heat and stir in the cilantro; season with salt and pepper. Top with chips, cheese and/or scallions.

SHORTCUT TURKEY CHILI

Steps:

• THoroughly combine all ingredients in crockpot.
• Cover.
• Cook HIGH 3-4 hours or til onion is tender.

SHORTCUT CHICKEN MANICOTTI

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
• In a medium skillet over medium heat, cook chicken until opaque and juices run clear.
• In a medium bowl, combine cooked chicken, egg, spinach, cottage cheese and Parmesan. Stuff uncooked manicotti shells with chicken mixture. Arrange shells, not touching one another, in a 9x13 inch baking dish.
• In a medium bowl, combine soup, sour cream, milk and Italian seasoning and stir until smooth. Pour over shells in dish and spread to cover completely. Carefully pour boiling water around the edge of the dish. Cover tightly with foil.
• Bake in preheated oven 60 minutes, or until pasta is tender. Sprinkle with Cheddar and parsley and let stand 10 minutes before serving.

SHORTCUT STICKY RICE

Steps:

• Mix the ingredients together in a saucepan and bring to a boil, stirring frequently.
• When it turns milky, cover, turn to low and cook for 20 minutes.