Description
This Award Winning Chili Con Carne is a hearty, flavorful, and satisfying dish simmered to perfection with ground beef, tomatoes, beans, and a blend of aromatic spices. Perfect for a comforting meal, it can be customized to your preferred spice level and garnished with shredded mozzarella cheese and corn chips for dipping. With its rich texture and robust taste, this chili is a crowd-pleaser ideal for family dinners or gatherings.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 4 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 1 green bell pepper, chopped
- 1 yellow onion, chopped
- 2 ½ pounds lean ground beef
- ⅔ cup red wine
- 2 beef bouillon cubes
- 2 (16 ounce) cans whole peeled tomatoes, chopped, juice reserved
- 1 (12 ounce) can tomato paste
- 2 garlic cloves, crushed
- 1 (15 ounce) can kidney beans, drained
- 12 drops hot pepper sauce (e.g. Tabasco)
Spices & Seasonings
- 2 tablespoons dried parsley
- 2 ½ teaspoons dried basil
- 2 ½ teaspoons chili powder
- 1 ½ teaspoons paprika
- 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- ½ teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
Thickening Mix
- 3 tablespoons flour
- 3 tablespoons corn meal
- ½ cup water
Instructions
- Prepare the vegetables and brown the beef: Heat the vegetable oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add the chopped green bell pepper and yellow onion, cooking and stirring until softened. Then add the lean ground beef, stirring and cooking until it is fully browned.
- Add wine and bouillon: Pour in the red wine and crumble the beef bouillon cubes over the mixture. Cook this together for a few minutes to blend the flavors.
- Incorporate tomatoes and seasonings: Stir in the chopped whole peeled tomatoes along with their reserved juice, tomato paste, and crushed garlic cloves. Season the mixture with dried parsley, dried basil, chili powder, paprika, cayenne pepper, dried oregano, salt, and black pepper, ensuring everything is well combined.
- Simmer the chili: Bring the chili to a boil on high heat before reducing to medium-low. Cover the pot and let it simmer gently for 90 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.
- Add beans and hot sauce: Stir in the drained kidney beans and hot pepper sauce. If the chili seems too thick or dry, add some of the reserved tomato juice to achieve your desired consistency. Continue to simmer uncovered for another 30 minutes.
- Thicken the chili: In a small bowl, whisk together the flour, cornmeal, and water until smooth. Stir this mixture into the chili and simmer for an additional 10 minutes, or until the chili thickens to your liking.
Notes
- Adjust the amount of chili powder, cayenne pepper, and hot sauce to suit your preferred spice level.
- Garnish with shredded mozzarella cheese for a creamy topping.
- Serve with corn chips for dipping to enhance the texture and flavor experience.
- Use lean ground beef to reduce fat content and improve the overall healthiness of the dish.
- Simmering the chili for a longer time develops deeper flavors, so avoid rushing the cooking process.
- Prep Time: 15 mins
- Cook Time: 2 hrs 20 mins
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
