Texas Beef Chili With Poblanos Beer Food

TEXAS BEEF CHILI WITH POBLANOS AND BEER

Steps:

• In a 12-inch skillet, heat 2 Tablespoons oil over medium-high heat. Add the onions and saute until softened, translucent and starting to brown, 8 to 10 minutes. Add the poblanos or green bell peppers, reduce heat to medium and cook, stirring occasionally until the poblanos soften, another 8 to 10 minutes. If the pan seems a little dry, add a little more olive oil. Add the garlic and 1 teaspoon salt and saute for another 5 minutes. Set aside.
• Meanwhile, heat the remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large, heavy Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Sear the beef cubes until browned and crusty on two sides, working in batches to avoid crowding the pan. Transfer to a bowl. Again, if the pan seems dry, add a little oil.
• Once the beef is seared and set aside, add the onions and peppers to the pan, along with the bay leaves, cinnamon sticks chile powders, cumin and cloves and cook, stirring until the spices coat the vegetables and are fragrant, 15 to 30 seconds. Slowly add the beer while scraping the pan bottom with a wooden spoon to dissolve the coating of spices. Simmer until the beer is reduced by half and the mixture has thickened slightly, 5 to 7 minutes. Add the beef, along with any accumulated juices, and the beef broth. Bring to a simmer and then reduce heat to medium low. Simmer, partially covered for 3 hours, stirring occasionally. Discard the cinnamon sticks and the bay leaves.
• If not serving immediately, chill overnight. The next day, skim any fat from the top before reheating.
• To serve, heat the chili gently. Using a slotted spoon, transfer about 2 cups of the beef cubes to a plate and using two forks, shred the meat and return to the pot. Taste and adjust salt if necessary. Heat the beans in a bowl in the microwave. Arrange the beans, chopped red onion, tomatoes, cilantro and sour cream in small bowls to serve as garnishes with the chili.

OUR FAVORITE TEXAS BEEF CHILI

Steps:

• Heat a large, dry skillet over high heat and toast peppers in batches, until browned in spots but not burned, 30 to 45 seconds per side. Toast garlic cloves in their skins in the same skillet, tossing, until browned in spots, about 3 minutes.
• If chiles are dusty, rub them gently with a damp paper towel. Cut peppers in half lengthwise; remove stems and seeds. Place chiles de árbol in a small heatproof bowl. Place all other chiles in a large heatproof bowl. Pour very hot water over chiles until submerged and let soak for 45 minutes, placing a plate on top of chiles to keep them submerged if necessary
• Peel garlic cloves and place cloves in blender. Add all the soaked chiles except for the chiles de árbol along with 4 cups of the soaking liquid. Add 1 tablespoon salt, 1 teaspoon pepper, and honey. Purée until smooth. Taste and add chiles de árbol to your preference (start with 4 for mild or 6 for medium heat; add additional to taste if you would like more heat).
• Strain the purée through a fine-mesh sieve into a large bowl, using a rubber spatula to press the purée through. Set puree aside.
• In a large Dutch oven or pot over medium-high heat, melt 2 tablespoons of lard. Add 1/3 of the beef, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon pepper and lightly brown the meat, 6 to 8 minutes per batch. Transfer to a bowl, reserve, and repeat with remaining 2 batches of beef, seasoning each with 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper.
• Lower the heat to medium and add 1 more tablespoon lard. Cook the onion with 1/4 teaspoon salt until soft, stirring, about 5 minutes. Add cumin and cook, stirring, 1 minute more. Add the chile purée and bring to a simmer. Cook, stirring, until purée has lost its raw chile flavor, about 15 minutes. Add 4 cups broth, oregano, and the beef. Combine the masa harina with 2 cups water and add to the mixture. Bring to a boil, reduce to a simmer, and cook, uncovered, until meat is tender and broth is thickened, about 3 hours.
• Add sugar and vinegar 1 tablespoon at a time, tasting to see if the chili needs more. Add cayenne, salt, and pepper to taste. Allow the chili to sit at least an hour and up to overnight to allow the flavors to meld. Serve with lime wedges, sour cream, onion, jalapeño, and/or cilantro.