Tag Archives: chili

Chile Colorado

This was the best dinner I haven’t had to make in so long!

Chili Colorado

Difficulty: Intermediate
Servings: 8

Ingredients

Beef Section

Sauce Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Pre-Cooking the Beef

    Combine all of the dry seasonings into a bowl and mix well. Set aside.

     

    Start by trimming off any excess fat and then dice into about 1 to 1 1/2 inch cubes.

     

    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.

     

    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.

     

    Repeat with the rest of the meat, seasonings and oil.

     

    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.

     

    When the second batch has seared pour the first batch back in and add enough water to almost cover.

     

    Bring it to a boil and then reduce the heat until you have a slow boil when covered.

     

    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.

     

    We’ll finish simmering the meat in this beautiful sauce. You should have enough time to make the sauce while the meat is cooking.

  1. 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.

     

    Chop onions. Cut, seed and stem the fresh Anaheim chili, green pepper and jalapenos (seeds are optional) into large chunks for easy blending.

     

    Add the reconstituted chilis, fresh veggies and “chili water” to a blender and blend until smooth. (You may have to do this in batches)

     

    Pour the mixture into a medium to large sauce pan.

     

    Add the seasonings and place on a burner over high heat to bring it to a boil.

     

    Reduce the heat to about medium to medium low and simmer covered for about 30 to 40 minutes stirring occasionally.

     

    Your Colorado sauce is ready.

     

    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.

  1. Completing the Dish

    Now that your beef has been simmering for an hour or so it should be getting soft and tender.

     

    Add 2 to 3 cups of your sauce and stir it in.

     

    Cover and simmer for another 1 1/2 to 2 hours.

     

    It’s now ready.

     

    Note: The longer you cook it the more tender it will get. 

Keywords: Mexican, chili, chile, Colorado, red, sauce, beef

Favorite Chili Recipe Ever

I have always loved chili (Hormel’s No Bean chili).  About a month into my low carb journey, I had chili dogs (2 hot dogs, in a bowl, with chili, cheese, sour cream and a little onion).  Now, granted, I had about 1/2 cup of chili poured over these hot dogs but I was shocked at my blood sugar response!  That morning was 104 and after my meal it was 137!  That was when I read the label.  That chili not only contains corn flour (which was a huge “Duh!” but also, oatmeal).  I have since been on a mission to find a substitute.  I have yet to find one but this … this looks promising!  Just do away with the corn meal and I’ll be good to go!  I’ll scrounge through the freezer and hopefully be able to try this recipe out tonight!

You NEED to click on the link below. This is, really, the best chili recipe.


Let Me Teach You How To Make Texas Red Chili



UPDATE:  Well, I didn’t have any bulk meat so I threw in what I could and ended up with chili soup.  That being said, the flavor is spot on!  I love it!

  • 1/4 lb Fat [I use clarified bacon fat but beef suet would be more traditional]
  • 5 lbs Beef Tips [Chuck Roast cut into cubes is best but you may use the product labeled beef tips in the market]
  • 1/2 Cup Chili Powder [Gebhardt is king in Texas but if you can’t find it use common sense and buy a good brand. Preferably from a market that sells a fair amount of it so it’s fresh. If you have access to a genuine Mexican market then you can find the really good stuff and get a pure chile powder like Guajillo]
  • 2 T. Cumin [I like to buy the seeds, toast them on a comal, then grind them in a spice grinder but powdered cumin will work just fine
  • 2 T. Ground Oregano aka Mexican Oregano [Not the Italian kind, this Oregano is sold as a powder and is essential in this dish]
  • 1 T. Salt or to taste
  • 1 T. Cayenne [obviously if you’d like to ratchet up the heat just add more]
  • 1 bulb Garlic [Freshly minced garlic,not the stuff that sits in a jar of oil in your fridge]
  • 2 quarts Stock [I use chicken which is not traditional, beef is recommended here for purists. If you don’t have time to make stock the brand Better Than Bouillon is surprisingly good]
  • 1/2 Cup Masa Harina [If you can’t find masa mix in your part of the country, corn meal will do just fine-the finer grind the better]
  • 1/2 Cup Water