2 X 2 Chili Food

CHILI II

Steps:

• In a large Dutch oven, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Brown the ground beef until no longer pink. Drain most of the fat from the ground beef.
• Push the ground beef to the sides of the pan and saute the onion and garlic in the middle until softened.
• Pour in beef stock, red wine, and balsamic vinegar. Stir in tomatoes, sun-dried tomatoes, tomato paste and black beans. Mix thoroughly. Sprinkle in the cayenne pepper, chili powder, salt, pepper, oregano, sage and sugar, then add the bay leaf. Mix thoroughly.
• Cover and simmer on lowest heat for 45 to 90 minutes.

WEEKNIGHT TWO-BEAN CHILI

Steps:

• Heat the oil in a large saucepan over medium-high heat; add the jalapenos, onions and vinegar and cook, stirring, until softened, about 5 minutes. Add the garlic and cook about 30 seconds.
• Stir in the broth, tomatoes, chili powder and five-spice powder if using, and increase the heat to high. Bring to a full boil and cook for 1 minute. Stir in the beans and return to a full boil. Reduce the heat to medium and simmer until just slightly thickened but still soupy, about 5 minutes. Stir in the cilantro.
• Fill each bowl with about 1/2 cup of rice. Ladle the chili on top, sprinkle with the Cheddar and serve.

SIMPLE, PERFECT CHILI

Steps:

• Place the ground beef in a large pot and throw in the garlic. Cook over medium heat until browned. Drain off the excess fat, and then pour in the tomato sauce, chili powder, cumin, oregano, salt and cayenne. Stir together well, cover, and then reduce the heat to low. Simmer for 1 hour, stirring occasionally. If the mixture becomes overly dry, add 1/2 cup water at a time as needed.
• After an hour, place the masa harina in a small bowl. Add 1/2 cup water and stir together with a fork. Dump the masa mixture into the chili. Stir together well, and then taste and adjust the seasonings. Add more masa paste and/or water to get the chili to your preferred consistency, or to add more corn flavor. Add the beans and simmer for 10 minutes. Serve with shredded Cheddar, chopped onions, tortilla chips and lime wedges.

2 X 2 CHILI

Steps:

• Brown ground beef. Add remaining ingredients. Simmer 20 minutes. If it seems dry just add water as needed.
• Note: When I make this recipe I only use one mild Rotel. 1 mild Rotel makes it a little spicy. I do not like spicy, but my husband does so we compromise.

WHITE CHILI FOR 2

Steps:

• In a skillet, saute the onions, jalapeno and garlic in 1-1/2 teaspoons butter until crisp-tender. Add the sage, cumin and ginger; cook for 1 minute. Add chicken; cook and stir until lightly browned., In a small saucepan, melt remaining butter. Stir in flour until smooth; gradually add the broth and milk. Bring to a boil; cook and stir 2 minutes or until thickened. Add beans. Pour over chicken mixture. Cook over medium heat until heated through. Sprinkle cheese on each serving.

DOUBLE BEAN & ROASTED PEPPER CHILLI

Steps:

• Put the onions, celery and chopped peppers with the oil in your largest flameproof casserole dish or heavy-based saucepan, and fry gently over a low heat until soft but not coloured.
• Drain both jars of peppers over a bowl to catch the juices. Put a quarter of the peppers into a food processor with the chipotle paste, vinegar, cocoa, dried spices and herbs. Whizz to a purée, then stir into the softened veg and cook for a few mins.
• Add the tomatoes and refried beans with 1 can water and the reserved pepper juice. Simmer for 1 hr until thickened, smoky and the tomato chunks have broken down to a smoother sauce.
• At this stage you can cool and chill the sauce if making ahead. Otherwise add the kidney and black beans, and the remaining roasted peppers, cut into bite-sized pieces, then reheat. (This makes a large batch, so once the sauce is ready it might be easier to split it between two pans when you add the beans and peppers.) Once bubbling and the beans are hot, season to taste and serve.

WHITE CHICKEN CHILI FOR TWO

Steps:

• For the spice mix: Combine the cumin, chili powder, salt, pepper and oregano in a small bowl. Set aside.
• For the chili: Heat a medium pot or Dutch oven over high heat for 1 to 2 minutes. Add the oil. Add the chicken breast. Sear on all sides until browned but not cooked through, about 3 minutes. Remove from the pot with a slotted spoon and set aside.
• Add the bacon to the same pot and cook, stirring, until rendered and lightly browned, 2 to 3 minutes. Add the onions and garlic and reduce the heat to medium. Cook, stirring, until the onions are translucent, 1 to 2 minutes. Add the spice mix and stir until fragrant, about 30 seconds.
• Stir in the flour until it's mixed and forms a roux, about 1 minute. Whisk in the chicken broth, whisking until no lumps remain. Raise the heat to high and stir in the beans, roasted chiles, sugar and the cooked chicken. Bring to a boil, reduce the heat until the mixture simmers. Simmer, stirring occasionally, until the chili is thick enough to coat the back of a spoon and the chicken is cooked through, 10 to 15 minutes.
• Stir in the sour cream. Taste and adjust the seasonings. Ladle into the sourdough bowls if using. Serve garnished with scallions.