Craigs Chili Recipes

CRAIG'S THREE BEAN CHILI

Steps:

• Saute the onion and garlic in oil until the onion becomes translucent, or about 5 minutes.
• Add chili powder, cumin and cayenne and cook for about a minute, being careful not to let the spices burn.
• Add diced tomatoes and barbeque sauce (if using) and bring to a boil.
• Add the cans of beans and corn.
• Cover and simmer for about 40 minutes, adding salt and tabasco sauce to taste.

CHILE CON CARNE

Steps:

• Heat oil in a saucepan and add the onions, garlic and green pepper. Cook, stirring, until wilted.
• Add beef and cook, chopping down with the side of a heavy metal spoon to break up any lumps. Cook until the meat loses its raw look. Add chili powder, cumin, oregano, coriander seeds, hot red pepper flakes and bay leaf. Stir to blend.
• Add tomatoes, salt, pepper and vinegar and bring to a boil. Partly cover and let simmer, stirring often, about 30 minutes. Remove bay leaf and serve.

CLASSIC CHILI CON CARNE

Steps:

• For the chile powder: Place the chiles flat in a cast-iron skillet over medium heat and cook, turning as needed, until lightly toasted. Transfer to a plate to cool. Put the cumin seeds in the hot pan and stir until fragrant. Transfer to a bowl to cool.
• Using scissors, cut the chiles into small strips. Using a spice grinder or a clean coffee grinder, grind in batches into a powder. Pour into a bowl. Grind the cumin seeds into a powder and add to the bowl. Add the oregano and garlic powder. If the mixture is still coarse, grind again until fine. Reserve 3 1/2 tablespoons for the chili; save the rest in a jar.
• For the chili: In a Dutch oven over medium heat, stir the cumin seeds until fragrant, about 1 minute. Pour onto a work surface and using a small, heavy skillet, crush them coarsely. Set aside.
• Return the pot to medium-high heat, add the bacon and fry until crisp, 5 to 8 minutes. Transfer to paper towels to drain.
• Increase the heat to high. Working in small batches, add the beef cubes to the pot and cook, stirring, until well browned on all sides. Using a slotted spoon, transfer the beef to a bowl.
• Reduce the heat to medium, add the onions to the remaining bacon drippings and sauté until lightly browned, about 8 minutes.
• Add the crushed cumin, reserved chili powder, paprika, oregano, black pepper, thyme, salt and garlic and cook, stirring often, for 1 minute. Crumble in the bacon and add the broth, tomatoes, 1 cup water, anchos and the browned beef. Increase the heat to high and bring to a boil, then decrease the heat to low, cover partly and simmer for 2 hours, until the meat is very tender. Add water as needed to maintain a good chili consistency.
• Remove the anchos, purée them in a food processor or blender and return the purée to the pot. Stir well, simmer for a few minutes to blend the flavors and serve.

CARROLL SHELBY'S CHILI CON CARNE

Steps:

• Cut the meat into quarter-inch cubes.
• Heat the oil in a skillet and cook the meat, stirring often, until browned.
• Transfer the meat to a kettle and add the onions and garlic. Cook briefly and add the chili powder, oregano, paprika, salt, cumin, tomato sauce and beer. Bring to the boil.
• Cover closely and cook over very low heat one hour. Add the cayenne pepper and cook two hours longer. As the chili cooks, skim the fat from the surface.
• Add the goat cheese and cumin seeds and Simmer, stirring, 30 minutes longer.