Ciao Bella Chili Recipes

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.

CIAO BELLA CHILI

Steps:

• 1. In a large, deep skillet or dutch oven, sweat onions and brown ground beef; drain excess fat and return beef to skillet or dutch oven.
• 2. Add chili powder, cumin, paprika and cayenne to ground beef and cook 2-3 minutes until aromatic.
• 3. Add undraid tomatoes, drained and rinsed kidney beans, bold and spicy beans, tomato paste and beef broth.
• 4. Allow to come to a simmer and simmer on low for about 45 minutes to 1 hour or until desired thickness.
• 5. Serve with shredded cheddar, corn muffins and biscuits. Can also be served over rice. Add some sour cream if you like too.

CIAO BELLA CHILI STUFFED CORN MUFFINS

Steps:

• 1. Prepare chili;set aside or have premade chili available.
• 2. Prepare corn muffins and divide evenly into 12 greased muffin cups.
• 3. Scoop about 2 tablespoons of chili in the center of each muffin. Top with 1 tablespoon of shredded cheddar and bake according to package directions. My recipe called for baking at 425 degrees for 15-20 minutes.

CIAO BELLA'S PLAIN GELATO BASE (GELATO DE CREMA)

Steps:

• In a heavy-bottom saucepan, combine milk and cream. Place over medium-low heat and cook, stirring occasionally so a skin doesn't form, until tiny bubbles start to form around the edges and mixture reaches a temperature of 170 degrees.
• Meanwhile, in a medium heat-proof bowl, whisk egg yolks until smooth. Gradually whisk in sugar until it is well incorporated and the mixture is thick and pale yellow. Temper egg yolks by very slowly pouring in hot milk mixture while whisking continuously. Return custard to saucepan and place over low heat. Cook, stirring frequently with a wooden spoon, until custard is thick enough to coat the back of the spoon and it reaches a temperature of 185 degrees. Do not bring to a boil.
• Pour mixture through a fine-mesh strainer into a clean bowl and let cool to room temperature, stirring every 5 minutes or so. To cool custard quickly, make an ice bath by filling a large bowl with ice and water and placing the bowl with the custard in it; stir custard until cooled. Once completely cooled, cover and refrigerate until very cold, at least 4 hours or overnight. Makes enough for about 1 quart (or 4 cups) of gelato.

CIAO BELLA MEXICALI PORK CHOPS

Steps:

• 1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
• 2. In a large skillet heat oil and brown pork chops on both sides. Remove and set aside.
• 3. Drain excess fat from skillet and in the same pan add undrained tomatoes, corn, beans, rice, green chiles, chili powder and hot sauce. Bring to a boil.
• 4. Place in a 9" X 13" baking dish. Arrange pork chops on top season with salt and pepper to taste.
• 5. Cover and bake for 30 minutes. Uncover and bake 10 minutes more or until rice is tender and pork is no longer pink.