Autumn Essentials Awesome Autumn Chili Food

AUTUMN/WINTER ESSENTIALS: HEART WARMING CHILI

Steps:

• 1. PREP/PREPARE
• 2. You will need a heavy-bottomed pot large that is large enough to hold all of the ingredients.
• 3. There are a lot of brands of chili beans out there. Some of my favorites are Bush's and Westbrae Organic. Most come packed in a sauce, and because that sauce will sway the taste of the chili, I usually rinse them before adding. But, that is just a personal preference.
• 4. Prepping trick, to save time, add all of the dry ingredients to a small bowl, mix to combine, and dump them in all at once.
• 5. Cocoa powder in a Chili? Many of you may already know this little trick, but adding of a bit of cocoa powder to something like a chili adds a richness you cannot describe.
• 6. Gather your ingredients (mise en place).
• 7. Add the oil and butter to a heavy-bottom pot, over medium heat.
• 8. After the butter melts, give the pot a swirl to mix it with the oil, and throw in the diced onions.
• 9. Cook until the onions soften, but do not allow them to brown, about 4 - 6 minutes.
• 10. Add the ground beef and cook while breaking it up with a wooden spoon.
• 11. Cook until browned, about 4 - 7 minutes.
• 12. Add the DRY INGREDIENTS, then stir until they are incorporated with the onions, and beef, about 1 - 2 minutes.
• 13. Add the tomato paste and stir for an additional 1 - 2 minutes.
• 14. Add the beef stock, and stir, while slowly bringing the pot up to a simmer.
• 15. Add the remaining WET INGREDIENTS and bring back to a simmer.
• 16. Allow the chili, to simmer for an additional 30 - 45 minutes.
• 17. Chef's Tip: Give the chili a stir every few minutes, just make sure nothing is sticking to the bottom. I HATE it when that happens.
• 18. PLATE/PRESENT
• 19. Serve in big bowls with your choice of toppings and sides. Enjoy.
• 20. Keep the faith, and keep cooking.

FALL ESSENTIALS: DARK SECRET AUTUMNAL CHILI

Steps:

• 1. PREP/PREPARE
• 2. This recipe uses two other recipes of mine. One is for the chili seasoning, and the other is for the meat. You do not have to use them; however, if you do, here they are: Autumn/Winter Essentials: Chili, Chili Spice Mix https://www.justapinch.com/recipes/sauce-spread/seasoning-mix/autumn-winter-essentials-chili-chili-spice-mix.html?r=2 Do Ahead Essentials: Chili Meat in the Freezer https://www.justapinch.com/recipes/main-course/beef/do-ahead-essentials-chili-meat-in-the.html?r=1
• 3. When it comes to canned tomatoes, there are great, good, and not so good brands. If you are interested in reading more on this fascinating subject, here are two articles I wrote, one that describes the different brands lurking out there, and another that talks about getting canned tomatoes tasting fresh. https://www.justapinch.com/recipes/soup/soup-other-soup/cooking-class-the-best-canned-tomatoes.html?r=1 https://www.justapinch.com/recipes/sauce-spread/sauce-spread-other-sauce-spread/removing-the-bitter-taste-from-canned-tomatoes.html?r=2
• 4. FYI: When it comes to the tomatoes, I usually can of whole peeled tomatoes, put them into a bowl, and use my hands to squeeze them until they break up. Why? Because that is how Aunt Josephine did it.
• 5. You will need a big old pot to make this recipe.
• 6. The "Dark Secret" to this recipe is the addition of dark chocolate. Which probably is not all that much of a secret to begin with. Just remember, to be careful. Adding to much chocolate (a little goes a long way) can turn your recipe from awesome to awful.
• 7. Gather your Ingredients (mise en place).
• 8. Add the chopped bacon to a large pot over medium heat.
• 9. Cook until the bacon renders its fat but does not crisp, about 5 - 7 minutes.
• 10. While the bacon is rendering chop up the onions, and mince the garlic.
• 11. Add the onions; along with the garlic, to the pot with the bacon.
• 12. Allow them to soften but not brown, about 3 - 5 minutes.
• 13. Add the beef stock tomatoes, and apple cider vinegar, then bring up to a simmer.
• 14. Add the recipe of make-ahead beef and stir to combine.
• 15. Add the dry ingredients and stir to combine.
• 16. Whisk together the flour and stock (The Slurry).
• 17. Add to the simmering chile and stir into the pot.
• 18. Simmer for an additional 25 - 30 minutes, to allow the chili to thicken, and the flavors to blend.
• 19. PLATE/PRESET
• 20. Serve while nice and hot, with some of my suggested side items. Enjoy.
• 21. Keep the faith, and keep cooking.

AUTUMN PUMPKIN CHILI

Steps:

• In a large skillet, saute onion and the green and yellow peppers in oil until tender. Add garlic; cook 1 minute longer. Crumble turkey into skillet. Cook over medium heat until meat is no longer pink., Transfer to a 3-qt. slow cooker. Stir in the pumpkin, tomatoes, chili powder, salt and pepper. Cover and cook on low for 7-9 hours. If desired, serve with toppings.

AUTUMN/WINTER ESSENTIALS: CHILI, CHILI SPICE MIX

Steps:

• 1. PREP/PREPARE
• 2. If you do not have access to dried chilies, you can always use the store-bought, pre-ground variety. However, Amazon does sell these items, and the mix will taste better if you use whole chilies and grind them yourself.
• 3. If you want the mix to have deeper, richer flavor, after you stem and remove the seeds from the chili's, place them in a hot dry pan for a bit. The heat will bring out more of the chili flavor. Or, you could put them in a 250f (120c) oven for about 20 - 30 minutes.
• 4. Gather your ingredients (mise en place).
• 5. Cut the chilies open and remove the seeds and the stems.
• 6. Add all of the ingredients to a spice, or really good blender (I use a Vitamix).
• 7. Mix until a powder. Blend-Baby-Blend.
• 8. Store in a glass jar with a good lid, in a cool dry place, as you would any other spices.
• 9. PLATE/PRESENT
• 10. Use in any recipe that calls for chili powder, but especially a nice pot of chili. Enjoy.
• 11. Keep the faith, and keep cooking.

AUTUMN CHILI

Steps:

• In a large saucepan coated with cooking spray, saute onion until tender. Add the remaining ingredients; bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 2 hours, stirring occasionally.