Chili Con Carne- A Chili Recipe That Bats it Straight Out of the Park

Origins of the Chili Recipe

Good old chili or chili con carne, a meat stew cooked with chili peppers, has not one, but several tales associated with its history. Some believe our ancestors first prepared this stew by accidentally mixing meat with chili. Others came up with mythical stories, such as the one about the Jumano Indians encountering a mysterious, blue-clad woman in wild West Texas. It was she who taught them about God and also introduced them to a spicy red meat stew similar to the modern chili.

The modern chili recipe as we know it, is indeed believed to have come from the state of Texas. Chili has long been a popular meal among cowboys, who spend days in the remote stretches of the American West.

According to another legend, immigrants from Canary Islands brought the first recipe for chili with them when they settled in San Antonio in the 1700s. During the 1800s, the dish started growing in popularity and soon spread to other parts of the country. Over the years, it managed to stay connected to its roots in Texas, where it has been named the official state dish.

What is Chili Con Carne?

For all its intriguing backstories, Chili con carne, or simply chili, is actually a pretty simple meat dish. It is a pot of slow-cooked meat mixed with generous portions of chili peppers, tomatoes and pinto beans, making it a spicy, wholesome stew. This dish is best eaten with rice or cornbread.

You can whip up this mouth-watering meal anytime and for any occasion, whether for a potluck or an end-of-day dinner. All you need to do is gather ingredients you already have in your kitchen. You can add variety to the recipe by throwing in kidney beans, tomato sauce and even canned tomatoeschoose any variation you want. Chili con carne is a versatile recipe with which you can experiment and alter according to your taste. This makes it the perfect subject for cook-offs with friends, where you can discover new versions of this dish.

In this article though, we'll go back to basics and discuss the classic chili con carnea popular choice for Americans across generations. It can be enjoyed as a side dish, a garnish, and can even be added to other preparations, such as soups and salads.

Ingredients for Chili Con Carne

Before beginning with this chili recipe, let us note down some Food Safety measures you need to keep in mind while preparing this dish. The ground beef, or any meat you choose to use, needs to be cooked to the right Food Temperature for the prescribed time to make sure the meat is rid of all harmful microorganisms that may cause illness.

What you need for a classic chili con carne. (Serves 4)

• 500 gm ground beef
• 1 beef stock cube
  
• 1 onion
  
• 400 gm diced tomatoes
• 1 red pepper
  
• Garlic cloves
  
• 1 tbsp olive oil
  
• 1 tsp paprika
  
• 1 tsp cumin
  
• 1 hot chili powder
  
• 2 tbsp tomato paste
  
• 420 gm kidney beans
• Bell pepper (optional)

How to Prepare This Classic Chili Recipe

These are the steps to follow-

1. Dice the onion into equal pieces. Cut the red pepper in half; remove the seeds and stalk; wash it and chop it into equal pieces. Finely chop the garlic cloves.
2. Place the pan on the flames; add 1 tbsp of olive oil and let it heat up. Once heated, add the onion and stir lightly for about five minutes until it becomes translucent.
3. Add the chopped garlic, red pepper, chili powder, cumin powder and paprika you had kept aside. Stir the mixture and cook for five minutes.
4. Add the ground beef to the pan as the spice mix sizzles. Stir and mix the ground beef with the spice mix evenly.
5. Turn up the heat and keep stirring for another five minutes, evening out the meat lumps and mixing it well. The ground beef shouldn't have pink tinges. Make sure the heat is high enough.
6. Put the beef stock cube in a cup with 300 ml hot water. Make sure the block crumbles and mixes well with the water. Pour it on the ground beef cooking on the pan.
7. Add the diced tomatoes, 1 tsp sugar, salt and pepper. Add 1 tbsp tomato paste to the mix and stir well. Let it boil.
8. Lower the heat to a simmer and cover the pan with a lid after giving it a good stir. Bring down the heat further and let the mixture boil gently to draw out its flavors. Leave it for 20 minutes. Keep checking in between and give it a stir to prevent the meat from sticking to the pan.
9. Add 1 or 2 tbsp of water if the mixture looks dry and turn down the heat frther. By now, the chili meat mix should look thick and moist.
10. Add the can of kidney beans after draining them. Let it boil for another 10 minutes. Check for the doneness of the meat. If all is well, replace the lid and let it rest for another 10 minutes.
11. After it has rested enough, serve your chili con carne with rice and sour cream and go on to bask in the glory of having mastered a fine chili recipe.
    

Can You Cook Chili Con Carne in a Dutch Oven?

Dutch ovens work well for chili. And not just chili, this vessel is often the ideal choice for any form of Food Production that needs slow cooking or a slow cooker. That's because it allows food to simmer, locking in the heat over a prolonged period without drying out the dish. Dutch ovens win hands-down over instant pots, which run the risk of burning food cooking for long periods of time.

Since chili con carne takes at least an hour to cook, you need a heavy vessel like a Dutch oven that will allow you to simmer the meat for hours.

Handy Hints and Cooking Tips for This Chili Recipe

Here are a few handy tips to help you cook the best chili on the block-

• Chili is typically cooked in a large pot or Dutch oven on the stovetop.
• Be sure to simmer your chili for a few hours to allow the flavors to meld together.
• If you want a thicker chili stew, you can cook it uncovered or add some flour or cornmeal during the cooking process.
• Don't be afraid to experiment with different ingredients and spices until you find a combination you love!

How to Store Your Homemade Chili

Chili is easily one of the Best Foods to come out of Texas. It's best had straight off the pot, but it preserves well too. Cooked in advance, it can be stored in the refrigerator and heated when you're strapped for time.

Speaking of storing, you might want to know how to best store your chili. If you plan on eating it within the next few days, you can store it in the fridge. Otherwise, freezing is the best option. Here are a few tips for storing your chili right-

• Homemade chili can last in the fridge for up to four days. Be sure to place it in an airtight container so that it doesn't dry out or start to spoil.
• If you want to freeze your beef chili or chicken chili, place it in a freezer-safe container. It can keep for up to six months. Defrosting frozen chili can be done in the microwave or by placing the container in hot water. The right storage methods will prevent Food Spoilage, even if the chili is consumed after days.