Favorite Church Supper Chili Food

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.

CHURCH SUPPER CHILI MAC AND CHEESE

Steps:

• Make the macaroni and cheese: bring a big pot of water to a boil; add salt and cook macaroni 5-8 minutes, until just tender; drain.
• Preheat oven to 350°; butter a 2 ½ to 3 quart casserole.
• Melt the butter in a saucepan; sprinkle in the flour, stirring constantly.
• Heat the milk to just below boiling and stir it into the flour-butter mixture, stirring constantly until thickened; add in the salt and mustard.
• In a big bowl, combine the macaroni, white sauce, and cheese, stirring just enough to blend.
• Pour the mixture into the casserole and bake for 30 minutes.
• Make the chili: in a skillet, saute the onion and garlic in the oil until soft.
• Add in the beef; cook until browned, breaking up any clumps; drain excess fat.
• Add in the barbecue sauce, chili powder, cumin, salt, pepper, and Worcestershire sauce; simmer 15 minutes.
• Add as much crushed tomatoes as needed to keep the chili loose.
• Serve the chili in broad, shallow bowls atop the macaroni and cheese.

CHILI CON CARNE FOR 25

Steps:

• Cook onions in hot oil until tender but not brown.
• Add meat sprinkled with all the spices, herbs, and seasonings.
• Break up meat with fork and brown.
• Add tomatoes and tomato paste.
• Cover and simmer 45 minutes or longer, adding water as needed to maintain original level of liquid.
• Add beans and simmer for another 15-20 minutes.
• You can make this ahead (with or without beans) and reheat.
• Freezes well too.
• Two aluminum-foil roasting pans will conveniently hold the chili (without beans) for freezing.
• Total volumne of recipe- 42 cups.