Chili Recipes

© Copyright 1995-2023, Clay Irving <clay@panix.com>, Manhattan Beach, CA USA

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The Chiliest Chili

Recipe from: MsPia
Servings: 6 to 8

I use to sell this chili at an outdoor market. I served it in bread bowls. It was a hit. The recipe is from a great cookbook called Beat This by Ann Hodgmann.

2 tablespoons corn oil
2 large onions, chopped
1 large red bell pepper, seeded and chopped
3 fresh jalapeño peppers, seeded and chopped fine
1 tablespoon garlic, minced
4 tablespoons chili powder
2 tablespoons ground cumin
2 tablespoons fresh dill, snipped
1 tablespoon dried basil
1 tablespoon dried oregano
1 tablespoon mild paprika
1 teaspoon black pepper, freshly ground
2 pounds pork, cut into very small pieces
1 pound hot Italian sausage, removed from casings
1 pound sweet Italian sausage, removed from casings
1 cup dried beans, soaked and cooked ¹
1 35 ounce can tomatoes, and their juice
½ cup hot salsa
¼ cup gold tequila
1 cup beer
3 tablespoons tomato paste
1 teaspoon salt, to taste
1 cup sour cream, as accompaniment
1 ½ cups extra-sharp cheddar cheese, as accompaniment
½ cup onions, chopped, as accompaniment

In a large pot, over medium high heat, heat the oil. Add the onions and cook until softened but not brown. Add the bell pepper, jalapeños and garlic and cook until the peppers are slightly softened. Do not let the garlic brown. Stir in the seasonings and herbs and cook for a minute or so longer.

In a large skillet, over medium high heat, cook the pork and sausage, breaking up the sausage with your spoon as you stir. Cook until the sausage is well browned, the pork has a few crispy bits and there is no pink meat to be seen. Drain the skillet well. With a slotted spoon, add the meats to the onion pot. Over medium high heat, stir in the cooked beans, tomatoes, salsa, tequila, beer and tomato paste. Salt to taste. Turn the heat down to low and simmer chili uncovered, stirring frequently, for 1 hour. (if it gets too thick, you can add water from time to time.) Serve the chili very hot with its various accompaniments.