Online Recipe Book


Chili 5

Source
How to Cook Everything, Mark Bittman, c2008, page 429
Yield
4 servings
Prep info
About 2 hours
Prep time
Not set
Cook time
2 hours
Time required
2 hours
Oven preheat
N/A
Type
Mains - Misc
Status
Rejected
Tags

Ingredients

  • 1/2 lb dried pinto beans (washed, picked over, and soaked if you have time)
  • 1/2 onion (unpeeled)
  • salt
  • pepper
  • 1/2 T oil
  • 1/2 lb ground beef (or hand chopped: beef, pork, turkey, or chicke)
  • salt
  • pepper
  • 1 t ground chili powder (to taste)
  • 1/3 c minced onion
  • 1/2 minced chile (to taste)
  • 1/2 t ground cumin (to taste)
  • 1/4 t dried oregano (optional)
  • 1/2 T minced garlic
  • 1 c crushed tomatoes
  • chopped cilantro (for garnish)

Method

Put the beans in a large pot with water to cover and bring to a boil over high heat, skimming the foam if necessary.  Add the whole onion.  Adjust the heat so the beans bubble steadily but not violently, and cover loosely.

When the beans begin to soften (30 minutes to an hour, depending on the type of bean and whether or not you soaked the beans), season with salt and pepper.  Continue to cook, stirring occasionally and adding water if necessary, until the beans are quite tender but still intact (about as long as it took them to begin to soften).

While the beans are cooking, heat 1/2 T oil in a frying pan; once hot, add meat.  Season with salt, pepper, and chili powder.  Set aside.

Drain the beans, reserving the cooking liquid if you choose to use it.  Discard the onion and add minced chile, cumin, oregano, garlic, minced onion, tomatoes, and cooked meat.  Turn the heat to medium and bring to a boil.  Cover and turn the heat down to low.

Cook, stirring occasionally and adding more liquid if necessary, until the beans are very tender and the flavors haver mellowed, about 15 minutes.  Taste the chili, adjust the seasoning, and garnish with cilantro.  Serve with rice, crackers, or tortilla chips, and bottled hot sauce.

Notes

SJ Note 25 Sept 2009: Too beany, and didn't like the flavor.  Added cheese, of course, also tried to doctor it with more tomatoes, herbs, stock, etc; no joy.  This one's not a keeper.