This was the best dinner I haven’t had to make in so long!
Chili Colorado
Ingredients
Beef Section
Sauce Ingredients
Instructions
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Pre-Cooking the Beef
Combine all of the dry seasonings into a bowl and mix well. Set aside.
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Start by trimming off any excess fat and then dice into about 1 to 1 1/2 inch cubes.
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Preheat a large stock pot to high heat. Add about 1 1/2 teaspoons of oil to your pot and wait until it just starts to smoke.
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Add 1/2 of the meat and 1/2 of the seasonings and sear on all sides. This will take about 15 to 18 minutes. Transfer the cooked beef to a large bowl and set aside for now.
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Repeat with the rest of the meat, seasonings and oil.
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Note: The reason for two batches is so that the meat will get a good sear. Adding all of the meat at once will “steam” it. In order to get a good sear there needs to be at least some space to stir and rotate to sear all sides.
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When the second batch has seared pour the first batch back in and add enough water to almost cover.
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Bring it to a boil and then reduce the heat until you have a slow boil when covered.
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Keep it covered and simmer for about 1 hour, stirring occasionally. You should have about the same amount of water at the end of this hour, if you notice the water evaporating just add a little more when needed.
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We’ll finish simmering the meat in this beautiful sauce. You should have enough time to make the sauce while the meat is cooking.
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Cooking the Sauce
Stem and seed the dry chilis and add them to a large bowl. Cover with 3 1/2 cups hot water to reconstitute. Soak for about 20 minutes or until soft.
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Chop onions. Cut, seed and stem the fresh Anaheim chili, green pepper and jalapenos (seeds are optional) into large chunks for easy blending.
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Add the reconstituted chilis, fresh veggies and “chili water” to a blender and blend until smooth. (You may have to do this in batches)
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Pour the mixture into a medium to large sauce pan.
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Add the seasonings and place on a burner over high heat to bring it to a boil.
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Reduce the heat to about medium to medium low and simmer covered for about 30 to 40 minutes stirring occasionally.
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Your Colorado sauce is ready.
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Note: This is a “concentrate”, it makes about 1/2 gallon so you’ll have some left over. It freezes well for up to 3 months. Dilute with water or broth and it can be used as an enchilada sauce or for a Mexican style rice and even as a taco sauce. It can also be used to slow simmer chicken or pork.
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Completing the Dish
Now that your beef has been simmering for an hour or so it should be getting soft and tender.
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Add 2 to 3 cups of your sauce and stir it in.
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Cover and simmer for another 1 1/2 to 2 hours.
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It’s now ready.
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Note: The longer you cook it the more tender it will get.Â