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© Copyright 1995-2023, Clay Irving <clay@panix.com>, Manhattan Beach, CA USA
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3 tablespoons ancho chili powder or 3 medium pods (about ½ ounce),
toasted and ground
3 tablespoons New Mexico chili powder or 3 medium pods (about ¾ ounce),
toasted and ground
2 tablespoons cumin seeds, toasted in a dry skillet over medium heat until
fragrant, about 4 minutes, and ground
2 teaspoons dried oregano, preferably Mexican
½ cup water
1 4-pound beef chuck roast, trimmed of excess fat and cut into 1-inch cubes
2 teaspoons salt, plus extra for seasoning
8 ounces bacon (7 or 8 slices), cut into ¼-inch pieces
1 medium onion, minced (about 1 cup)
5 medium garlic cloves, minced
4-5 small jalapeño chile peppers, cored, seeded, and minced
1 cup canned crushed tomatoes or plain tomato sauce
2 tablespoons juice from 1 medium lime
5 tablespoons masa harina or 3 tablespoons cornstarch
Ground black pepper
1. Mix chili powders, cumin, and oregano in small bowl and stir in ½ cup
water to form thick paste; set aside. Toss beef cubes with salt; set aside.
2. Fry bacon in large, heavy soup kettle or Dutch oven over medium-low heat
until fat renders and bacon crisps, about 10 minutes. Remove bacon with
slotted spoon to paper towel-lined plate, pour all but 2 teaspoons fat from
pot into small bowl; set aside. Increase heat to medium-high; saut? meat in
four batches until well-browned on all sides, about 5 minutes per batch,
adding additional 2 teaspoons bacon fat to pot as necessary. Reduce heat to
medium, add 3 tablespoons bacon fat to now-empty pan. Add onion; saut? until
softened, 5 to 6 minutes. Add garlic and jalapeño; sauté until fragrant,
about 1 minute. Add chili paste; saut? until fragrant, 2 to 3 minutes. Add
reserved bacon and browned beef, crushed tomatoes or tomato sauce, lime
juice, and 7 cups water; bring to simmer. Continue to cook at a steady
simmer until meat is tender and juices are dark, rich, and starting to
thicken, about 2 hours.
3. Mix masa harina with ⅔ cup water (or cornstarch with 3 tablespoons
water) in a small bowl to form smooth paste. Increase heat to medium; stir
in paste and simmer until thickened, 5 to 10 minutes. Adjust seasoning
generously with salt and ground black pepper. Serve immediately, or
preferably, cool slightly, cover, and refrigerate overnight or for up to 5
days. Reheat before serving.