Savory

Beef Chili

I feel like sharing today… I like you, and it seems like a good day for it, don’t you think? Awesome – I think so too! Ok, now I’m all excited and stuff! 

I’d like you to know some things about me…

Ready?

Cool…

I have small ears. Like freakishly small. My ear buds constantly fall out when I listen to music. It’s so damn embarrassing. I always feel people staring at them. My ears, not the ear buds. My mom says my ears are small due to my Haitian heritage. I’m not sure if that’s true, ’cause if it is, how come her ears aren’t freakishly tiny?

I cheat at board games. No joke… Please do not play board games with me. I cheat, I trash talk, and I have a “Booya” dance. I trash talked my son during a game of chess the other night. Yes, I trash talked during what is considered “A gentleman’s game”. Hey, I ain’t no gentleman – And when I play games, I’m in it to win it, so I certainly ain’t no lady! You’ve been warned.

I love the song Boogie Wonderland by Earth Wind and Fire. Except sometimes when I sing it, I say “Booger Wonderland” instead. I have a 10-year-old son who is heavily into booger and flatulence jokes. Ok, that’s no excuse. I just think it’s funny and can’t help myself.

Aerosmith’s “Love in an Elevator” holds a soft spot in my heart. It reminds me of my first kiss, which took place in an elevator… Go-wing-down.

I am 33 and cannot drive. I don’t how. I am chauffeured around like the rich and famous, except I’m neither. I drove a golf cart once. In Belize – And almost drove it into a restaurant wall. I was sober at the time, too. I used to say I never wanted to learn, but the real reason I don’t drive is this: I really, truly, honestly believe the car ends at the wheel. That is sort of a problem for pedestrians and drivers alike.

If there is one food, I could undoubtedly eat every day forever it would be chocolate. Just chocolate. In fact, it takes all my available will power not to dig into my baking chocolate supply. I still do it sometimes, though. No use lying about it.

I didn’t care for chili. I used to think, “what’s so damn special about ground meat and beans, anyway?” On the other hand, I love tacos, which are ground meat in a shell. I also enjoy an occasional sloppy Joe, which is ground meat in bread.

So what’s the big deal? Why not give chili a try? I did… I made this chili last month and I’m still slapping myself for not having tried chili sooner.

Ground meat and beans is a Big deal, indeed! This was comfort food to like, the 23rd power. Yum Cit-ay! I couldn’t make it spicy, because apparently I live with a bunch of wusses who can’t take a lil’ bit o’ heat; but I recommend adding some spice to this bad boy. Not “eye tearing, running nose, need water after every bite” spice, but mild runny nose spice. You know what I mean, right?

Kick it up! This chili has great flavor. Trust me on that one, ok? You are going to find yourself digging in before it cools.

I did…

And burned my tongue…

Twice…

Last month I baked the cheddar cheese biscuits that go with this chili. Unfortunately, Sunday’s chili was sitting atop a bed of white rice. I was obsessing over some other project I’m working on and totally ran out of time. There was that extra hour, but I used it for sleeping. It was nice. I highly recommend baking the biscuits, though. Shredding cheddar cheese on top of this chili just doesn’t do it justice.

Here is the recipe… I know you want it now. Just can’t wait to make it, I know. I made some changes. I hope its cool… You can try the original recipe which is also great. Oh, and don’t skip the biscuits, ’cause I’ll know.

Now I’ve shared some stuff about me, and I shared the best chili recipe I’ve come across so far.

So…

Are we cool now? Man, I sure hope so. Oh, and if you ever see me in the street, please don’t make fun of my ears… I’m still raw about it.

Need a dish of warm spicy comfort? Look no further than this Beef Chili! www.mind-over-batter.com

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Beef Chili 

Source: Adapted from smittenkitchen.com

Serves about 8 comfortably if cooking with rice – 6 otherwise.

Ingredients:

  • 2 large onions, chopped
  • 1/4 cup vegetable oil
  • 1 1/2 tablespoons minced garlic
  • 3 carrots, diced
  • 3 pounds ground beef, or ground turkey
  • 1/4 cup chili powder
  • 3 1/4 tablespoons ground cumin
  • 2 1/2 tablespoons paprika
  • 1 tablespoon dry oregano
  • Dried red pepper flakes, to taste – I used a sprinkle, but feel free to use 1 teaspoon, or 1 tablespoon – up to you!
  • 2 8-ounce cans tomato sauce or 2 cups fresh tomato sauce or tomato puree
  • 1 2/3 cups organic  beef broth, preferably low sodium
  • 3 tablespoons cider vinegar
  • 1 19-ounce can kidney beans, rinsed and drained
  • 1 green bell pepper, chopped
  • 1 red bell pepper, chopped
  • Salt and pepper to taste*

Directions:

In a large 5-quart pot, preferably a dutch oven, heat the oil over low heat and cook the onions in it for about 10 minutes, until softened. Add the garlic and carrots and cook for one minute more. Raise the heat to medium and add the beef and about 1 tsp of salt. Break up any lumps and cook until the meat is no longer pink, about 12 minutes. Add the chili powder, cumin, paprika, oregano and peppers flakes and cook for another two minutes. Add the tomato sauce, broth and vinegar and simmer the chili, covered, for about 45 minutes. Add the kidney beans, bell peppers, salt and pepper to taste and simmer for an additional 20 minutes, until the bell peppers are tender. Serve atop a bed of white rice and enjoy!

Note:  I added about 2 1/2 teaspoons of salt in total to the chili, but feel free to use as much or as little as you wish!

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