The Chiliest Chili Food

CLASSIC CHILI

Steps:

• Heat the oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Add the onion and bell pepper and cook, stirring, until softened, 5 to 7 minutes. Add the tomato paste, chili powder, cumin, coriander and oregano. Cook, stirring, until brick red, 2 minutes.
• Add the beef, 1 teaspoon salt and a few grinds of pepper and continue to cook, stirring, until no longer pink, 3 to 4 minutes. Add the beans, tomatoes, 1 cup water and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Bring to a simmer and cook, adjusting the heat as needed and stirring occasionally, until thickened, 35 to 45 minutes. Season with salt.

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.

THE CHILIEST CHILI

Steps:

• In a large pot, over medium high heat, heat the oil. Add the onions and cook until softened but not brown. Add the bell pepper, jalapeños and garlic and cook until the peppers are slightly softened. Do not let the garlic brown.
• Stir in the seasonings and herbs and cook for a minute or so longer.
• In a large skillet, over medium high heat, cook the pork and sausage, breaking up the sausage with your spoon as you stir. Cook until the sausage is well browned, the pork has a few crispy bits and there is no pink meat to be seen.
• Drain the skillet well. With a slotted spoon, add the meats to the onion pot.
• Over medium high heat, stir in the cooked beans, tomatoes, salsa, tequila, beer and tomato paste. Salt to taste. Turn the heat down to low and simmer chili uncovered, stirring frequently, for 1 hour. (if it gets too thick, you can add water from time to time.) Serve the chili very hot with its various accompaniments.
• Note: Soak the beans for 24 hours, drain them. Cook in water to cover until tender. Drain again. I usually buy a bag of mixed bean. They come with about 15 kinds of different beans.

BEST EVER WHITE CHILI

Steps:

• Cube the chicken breast halves. Heat the olive oil and saute chicken until golden.
• Add the onions and garlic, saute until tender.
• Add the spices and cook for 30 seconds.
• Add beans, broth and chilies.
• Simmer for 15 minutes.
• Reduce heat and stir in cheese. Stir until melted and well blended.
• Season to taste. Serve with sour cream, crackers and/or bread.