By Pati’s Mexican Table
Inspired by her years living in Texas, Pati creates a series of dishes that combine her passion for Mexican cuisine and her favorite foods of America’s Lone Star State. Her oldest son Alan, who was born in Texas and is fully Tex-Mex, joins her in the kitchen.
Tex-MEX Chili
Yield – 8 servings
INGREDIENTS
– 3 tablespoons vegetable oil, plus one tablespoon separated
– 1 pound beef stew meat, cubed into 1-inch chunks
– 1 pound ground pork or beef
– 1 teaspoon kosher or sea salt, add more to taste
– ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, more to taste
– 1 white onion, chopped
– 1 red bell pepper, chopped
– 1 tablespoon chopped jalapeno, seeding optional
– 4 cloves garlic, finely chopped
– ½ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
– ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper
– ½ teaspoon paprika
– 1 teaspoon chili powder such as Ancho or Chipotle chile powder
– 1 tablespoon chipotles in adobo sauce, add more to taste
– 1/2 teaspoon cumin
– 1 teaspoon dried oregano
– 1 tablespoon tomato paste
– 1 28-ounce can crushed tomatoes
– 1 tablespoon dark brown sugar
– 1 tablespoon distilled white vinegar
– 4 cups beef stock
– 2 15-ounce cans pinto beans, drained and rinsed (or about 4 cups homemade)
To Garnish:
– Sour cream
– Chopped fresh cilantro
– Shredded cheddar cheese
– Tortilla chips
– Green onions, sliced thin
DIRECTIONS
In a Dutch oven or heavy bottom casserole, heat 3 tablespoons oil over medium-high heat. Add the beef, and begin to brown on all sides. After 2 to 3 minutes, add the ground meat, sprinkle with salt and pepper, and let it brown along with the cubed meat for another 5 to 6 minutes. The juices of the ground meat should have come out and then dry out. Stir as the meat browns.
Make room in the center of the pan, add the extra tablespoon of oil and add the onions and peppers, cook for 5 more minutes or until they begin to soften. Make some room in the casserole again, add the garlic, red pepper flakes, cayenne, paprika, chili powder, chipotle sauce, cumin, oregano, stir well.
Add the crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, sugar and vinegar, mix well and cook for 3 to 4 minutes stirring a couple times. The tomato paste should have dissolved and the sauce thickened a bit. Pour beef stock and once it comes to a strong simmer, reduce heat to medium. Add the beans and stir. Lower the heat to medium low, it should have a low steady simmer, and cook uncovered for an hour, stir every once in a while.
Serve the chili in bowls and let your guests garnish with sour cream, cilantro, shredded cheddar cheese, tortilla chips and green onions.
Still hungry?… See more recipe’s from Pati’s Mexican Table