A big-game must: hearty chili!
Every winter I go through a couple weeks (or months) where I can’t get enough chili. With Super Bowl Sunday fast approaching, I decided that it was time to make my first batch of the season. While this dish is great for a crowd, I also find it wonderful as a hearty lunch at work or reheated when I’m feeling too lazy to make dinner.
Starting the chili: I began by browning 1-2 lbs. beef (not ground!) and chopping 2 onions and some shallots. Once the beef was nicely browned, I chopped it into small chunks before throwing it back into the pot. With the onions, shallots and beef all simmering nicely, I added a finely chopped chile in addition to some of the powdered stuff. Before moving forward I let everything simmer over medium heat for 10-15 minutes.
Simmer, simmer, simmer.
By the time I was ready to add the tomatoes my apartment was filled with a delicious (and meaty) smell. Two large cans of tomatoes and hearty helpings of cumin and coriander later, this was starting to look more like the chili I love. Deciding to get a little funky, I also added small amounts of liquid smoke and soy sauce to the pot. My stomach was really rumbling by this point so I made myself a snack while the mixture simmered for a couple hours. Before I took the chili off the stove I added two cans of beans—arguably my favorite part of the whole mess.
At 10 p.m., I was finally able to have a taste. I prefer my chili served the super classy way—with a slice of American cheese on the bottom of the bowl. At first I thought it needed a little more heat, so I added my favorite hot sauce and a bit of salt. As I ate more I found that the chili had a really great spicy flavor that builds with each bite. Yum!
If you’re hosting a Super Bowl shindig at your place this year, I would suggest getting a batch of this delicious chili cooking early. By the time guests arrive you’ll have the best smelling kitchen EVER, and a hearty meal for the whole group!
