Ultimate Apple Cider Chili Recipes

ULTIMATE APPLE CIDER CHILI

Steps:

• 1. Brown beef on olive oil in saute pan.
• 2. Remove beef with slotted spoon into big pot. Leave drippings in saute pan; add bacon grease.
• 3. Add onions to saute pan.
• 4. Top onions with brown sugar (more for carmelization of onions, rather than flavor). Sautee until onions are translucent and soft.
• 5. Pour onions into pot, drippings and all.
• 6. Deglaze saute pan with 1/4 cup beer, scraping up brown bits from bottom. Pour that into the pot.
• 7. Into the pot, add broth, all tomatoes (add them whole), bell peppers, tomato paste, and all spices. Give it a really good stir, cover and simmer on very low heat, for about an hour.
• 8. While waiting, dice mushrooms into itty bitty pieces, and shuck that ear of corn.
• 9. After an hour, give your chili a few good stirs, and use back of big spoon or spatula, to push down on the tomatoes, breaking them up. Add mushrooms and corn. Cover and let simmer on very low heat for another hour.
• 10. After that hour, now add beans and beer. Stir, cover and let simmer on very low heat for 30 minutes.
• 11. Turn off heat, uncover and stir, break up some more tomatoes, and then cover it back up and let it sit, covered, for at least 30 minutes before serving. Top with shredded cheese and scallions when serving.

SPICED APPLE CHILI

Steps:

• In a Dutch oven, cook and crumble beef with onion over medium-high heat until beef is no longer pink, 5-7 minutes; drain., Add tomato paste, spices and garlic; cook and stir over medium heat 5 minutes. Stir in vinegar and broth until blended. Add remaining ingredients; bring to a boil. Simmer, covered, until apples are tender and flavors are blended, about 45 minutes, stirring occasionally. Serve with toppings as desired. Freeze option: Freeze cooled chili in freezer containers. To use, partially thaw in refrigerator overnight. Heat through in a saucepan, stirring occasionally.

SLOW COOKER CHILI

Steps:

• Brown the meat: In a large saute pan heat 1 tablespoon of the oil over medium heat. When the oil begins to smoke lightly, add the beef and season with salt. Cook over medium heat, stirring with a wooden spoon, until the meat browns, about 5 minutes. Transfer beef to a large mixing bowl.
• Brown the vegetables: In the same pan, stir in the onions and the remaining oil. Add the garlic, chiles, bell pepper, tomato paste, and a generous pinch of salt. Cook until the vegetables start to brown, about 5 minutes.
• Cook the chili: While the vegetables are cooking, to the slow cooker add the tomatoes, chili powder, bay leaf, cumin, allspice, red pepper flakes, and 2 cups of water; stir to combine. Add the vegetables to the bowl of meat and stir to combine, then add to the slow cooker. Stir in the vinegar. Cover and set the cooker to low; cook for about 8 hours. Check after a couple of hours. Stir and taste for seasoning. Thirty minutes or so before serving, turn the slow cooker to high and stir in the black beans and cook for an additional 30 minutes.
• Serve: Allow it to "rest" for about 15 minutes before serving. Stir in the scallions. Taste for seasoning. Serve with any or all of the following: cheddar, sour cream, avocado, scallions, lime wedges, and tortilla chips.

HOMEMADE APPLE CIDER

Steps:

• Place apples in a large stockpot and add enough water cover by at least 2 inches. Stir in sugar, cinnamon, and allspice. Bring to a boil. Boil, uncovered, for 1 hour. Cover pot, reduce heat, and simmer for 2 hours.
• Strain apple mixture though a fine mesh sieve. Discard solids. Drain cider again though a cheesecloth lined sieve. Refrigerate until cold.