Texas Style Chocolate Stout Chili Food

SPICY TEXAS-STYLE CHILI WITH CHOCOLATE STOUT

Steps:

• Remove the stems and seeds from the dried chiles. Heat a large skillet (preferably cast-iron) over medium-high heat and toast the dried chiles in batches until they just start to darken and become shiny, 10 to 20 seconds per side. Remove to a large bowl. When all of the chiles are toasted, pour boiling water over them to cover. Let stand until soft, 30 minutes.
• Drain the dried chiles and transfer to a blender along with 1/2 cup of the soaking water (reserve the rest of the soaking water). Add the chipotles and adobo sauce and puree until smooth.
• Cook the bacon in a large Dutch oven over medium heat until crisp, then drain on paper towels. Pour off the drippings from the pot and discard. Add the vegetable oil to the pot and increase the heat to medium high. Season the beef all over with salt and pepper. Working in batches, add the beef to the pot and cook, turning, until browned, 3 to 4 minutes; remove the beef to a plate as it browns.
• Reduce the heat to medium low and add the onions to the drippings in the pot. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the onions are almost tender, about 6 minutes. Add the garlic and cook 2 more minutes. Add the cocoa powder, cumin, oregano and paprika and stir to coat the onions, about 1 minute. Increase the heat to high and stir in the chile puree. Cook until slightly thickened, 2 to 3 minutes.
• Add the stout, bring to a boil and cook until reduced by one-quarter, about 3 minutes. Return the beef and bacon to the pot. Add the beef broth and enough of the reserved chile soaking water or additional water (about 2 cups total) to cover the meat by 1 inch. Partially cover the pot and simmer over low heat, stirring occasionally, until the meat is tender, 31/2 to 4 hours.
• Skim off any fat from the top of the chili; season with salt and pepper. Serve the chili in bowls and top with sour cream, scallions and cilantro.

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.

CHOCOLATE STOUT CHILI

Steps:

• In small bowl, mix brown sugar, chile pepper powder, cinnamon and cumin; set aside.
• In 4-quart Dutch oven, cook beef, bell pepper, onion and garlic in oil over medium heat 8 to 10 minutes, stirring frequently, until beef is thoroughly cooked and vegetables are crisp-tender; drain. Add spice mixture; stir until blended.
• Stir in tomatoes, beans, 1 cup of the beer, the coffee and chocolate. Heat to boiling; reduce heat. Simmer 15 to 30 minutes until chili is desired thickness. Add some or all of the remaining 1/2 cup beer, if necessary. Check seasoning and heat level; adjust to taste.
• Serve chili with corn chips, cheese, sour cream and limes.

TEXAS-STYLE CHILI

Steps:

• Toast the chiles in a small dry saucepan over medium heat until pliable, 5 minutes. Remove from the heat. Add 1 cup water, cover and let soften, 5 minutes. Transfer to a blender and puree.
• Heat the oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Toss the meat with 2 teaspoons each salt and pepper. Brown the meat in batches, about 5 minutes; remove. Add more oil if the pot is dry. Add the onion and a pinch of salt. Cook until softened, 3 to 5 minutes. Stir in the garlic and cumin.
• Add 3 cups water, the beef broth, chile puree, meat, tortilla and brown sugar; stir. Reduce the heat, partially cover and gently simmer, stirring occasionally, until the meat is very tender, 2 hours 15 minutes to 2 hours 45 minutes. If the chili is not thick enough, uncover, increase the heat and continue to simmer. Stir in the vinegar and season with salt and pepper.