Texas Senator Sam Pendergrast Greasy Spoon Chili Recipes

TEXAS SENATOR SAM PENDERGRAST "GREASY SPOON" CHILI

Steps:

• Fry the bacon to extract or "render" the fat.
• Make a big bacon sandwich to eat while the chili cooks (after all, good chili doesn't have bacon in it).
• Saute the ground beef in the bacon fat over medium heat, for at least 10 minutes.
• Slowly add the cumin and red chili, a tablespoon or so of each at a time, until the mixture looks and smells like chili (this is a critical point; if you add all the spices at once; there is no room for adjustment to allow for personal taste.
• Let the mixture cook awhile between additions, and don't feel that you have to add all the spices.
• Add water to avoid sticking or if you want a thinner chili.
• Add the cayenne.
• Simmer for at least 2 hours, until you have to try some early.
• Skim the grease if you absolutely have to or you can add some cornmeal to thicken the chili and make the grease "disappear".
• Finish with salt, pepper and garlic to taste and if you like, the paprika to further darken the color.
• Continue simmering til served.
• Reheat as many times as needed until gone, it get better each time.

SUNNY'S EASY BEEFY TEXAS CHILI

Steps:

• In a small bowl, mix the cumin, chile powder, oregano, pumpkin pie spice, 2 teaspoons salt and a few grinds of black pepper.
• In a large pot over medium heat, add the olive oil, beef cubes and half of the seasoning blend. Cook until the beef is browned on all sides but not cooked through, 5 to 7 minutes; remove with a slotted spoon to a plate. Add the onion, bell pepper, tomato paste, hot sauce, garlic and a pinch of salt to the pot. Cook, stirring, until everything turns a dark reddish brown, about 8 minutes.
• Add the ground beef and sprinkle over the remaining seasoning blend. Cook, stirring, until the beef is no longer pink, 5 to 7 minutes. Add the reserved beef chunks back to the pot along with the stock, wine or beer and cornmeal. Bring to a boil, then lower to a simmer and cook, partially covered and stirring occasionally, until the chili is thick and the liquid is reduced, 40 to 45 minutes.
• Spoon the chili into bowls and serve with sliced scallions, shredded cheese and tortilla chips.

TEXAS STYLE CHILI

Steps:

• In a large heavy pot (such as a cast iron Dutch oven), heat the fat or oil over high heat. Add the meat and sear, stirring, until no longer pink. Lower the heat to medium-high. Add the onions, jalapenos, garlic, chiles, and chili powder, and cook, stirring constantly, until the onions are wilted and start to color, 4 to 5 minutes. Add the cumin, oregano, salt, and pepper, and cook until fragrant, about 20 seconds. Add the tomatoes and cook, stirring, for 1 minute. Add the beer and tequila and cook, stirring, to deglaze the pan. Add the chipotles and adobo sauce and 4 cups of the stock, stir well, and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer partially covered, stirring occasionally, until the meat is very tender, 2 to 3 hours, adding the remaining cup of stock as needed if the chili becomes too dry or thick. When the meat is tender and the chili is ready, add the masa harina 1 teaspoon at a time to thicken to desired consistency, stirring well and cooking after the addition of each before adding more.
• Remove from the heat and correct the seasoning, to taste. Skim any fat from the surface.
• Ladle into bowls and garnish each with cilantro, chopped onions, and a dollop of sour cream. Serve with hot cornbread.

TRUE TEXAS CHILI

Steps:

• 1. Place the chiles in a straight-sided large skillet over medium-low heat and gently toast the chiles until fragrant, 2 to 3 minutes per side. Don't let them burn or they'll turn bitter. Place the chiles in a bowl and cover them with very hot water and soak until soft, 15 to 45 minutes, turning once or twice.
• 2. Drain the chiles; split them and remove stems and seeds (a brief rinse helps remove seeds, but don't wash away the flesh). Place the chiles in the bowl of a blender and add the cumin, black pepper, 1 tablespoon salt and 1/4 cup water. Purée the mixture, adding more water as needed (and occasionally scraping down the sides of the blender jar), until a smooth, slightly fluid paste forms (you want to eliminate all but the tiniest bits of skin.) Set the chile paste aside.
• 3. Return skillet to medium-high heat and melt 2 tablespoons of the lard. When it begins to smoke, swirl skillet to coat and add half of the beef. Lightly brown on at least two sides, about 3 minutes per side, reducing the heat if the meat threatens to burn. Transfer to a bowl and repeat with 2 more tablespoons of lard and the remaining beef. Reserve.
• 4. Let the skillet cool slightly, and place it over medium-low heat. Melt the remaining 1 tablespoon of lard in the skillet; add the onion and garlic and cook gently for 3 to 4 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add the stock, the remaining 2 cups water and gradually whisk in the masa harina to avoid lumps. Stir in the reserved chile paste, scraping the bottom of the skillet with a spatula to loosen any browned bits. Add the reserved beef (and any juices in the bowl) and bring to a simmer over high heat. Reduce heat to maintain the barest possible simmer (just a few bubbles breaking the surface) and cook, stirring occasionally, until the meat is tender but still somewhat firm and 1 1/2 to 2 cups of thickened but still liquid sauce surrounds the cubes of meat, about 2 hours.
• 5. Stir in the brown sugar and vinegar thoroughly and add more salt to taste; gently simmer 10 minutes more. At this point, it may look like there is excess sauce. Turn off the heat and let the chili stand for at least 30 minutes, during which time the meat will absorb about half of the remaining sauce in the skillet, leaving the meat bathed in a thick, somewhat fluid sauce. Stir in additional broth or water if the mixture seems too dry. If the mixture seems a bit loose and wet, allow it to simmer a bit more (sometimes we like to partially crush the cubes of beef with the back of a spoon to let them absorb more sauce). Adjust the balance of flavors with a bit of additional salt, sugar, or vinegar, if you like.
• 6. Reheat gently and serve in individual bowls with a dollop of sour cream on top and a lime wedge on the side.

REAL TEXAS CHILI

Steps:

• Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium high heat. Saute the beef cubes in the oil for 2 minutes. Reduce heat to medium and stir in the garlic.
• In a small bowl, combine the chili powder, cumin and flour. Sprinkle over the meat and stir until evenly coated. Crumble the oregano over the meat and pour in 1 1/2 cans of the broth.
• Add the salt and ground black pepper, stir together well, bring to a boil, reduce heat to low and let simmer, partially covered for about 90 minutes. Pour in remaining broth and simmer 30 minutes more, until meat begins to fall apart. Cool, cover and refrigerate to allow the flavors to blend.