Big Boy Chili & Beans
Source of Recipe
Sara Moulton
List of Ingredients
2 tablespoons Vegetable oil or bacon fat
1 1/2 pounds Onions; coarsely chopped
3 large Garlic cloves; minced or
2 pounds Lean ground sirloin or chuck
2 pounds Lean ground pork
3/4 cup Chili powder;
3 tablespoons Unsweetened cocoa powder
2 tablespoons Sugar -(to 3 tbspns)
1 tablespoon Ground cumin; plus 1 teaspoon Ground cumin
1 tablespoon Dried oregano; plus 1 teaspoon Dried oregano; all crumbled
2 teaspoons Fennel seeds; (optional)
2 teaspoons Salt
1/2 teaspoon Cayenne pepper; (optional)
3 Bay Leaves
1 can Whole tomatoes - (28 oz); Roughly chopped
1 can Tomato sauce - (8 oz)
3 Bottles Dark or medium beer ; (12 oz ea) (Mexican Dos Equis)
~~ === FOR THE BEANS === ~~
6 sl Hickory-smoked bacon; finely diced
1 pound Dried small pink beans; Still in their soaking liquid
1 large Garlic clove; minced
2 teaspoons Salt Recipe
Spoon the oil into a large, heavy casserole or Dutch oven set over moderate heat. Add the onions and saute until softened and lightly colored, about 10 minutes. Add the garlic and saute for 2 minutes. Reserve.
Return the pot to moderate heat and crumble in the beef and pork. Increase the heat to high and brown well, without stirring, for 5 minutes. Reduce the heat to moderately-high and brown, stirring occasionally, for 15 minutes longer.
Return the onions to the pot and stir in 1/2 cup of the chili powder, 2 tablespoons of the cocoa, 2 tablespoons of the sugar, 1 tablespoon of the cumin, 1 tablespoon of the oregano, fennel seeds, salt, cayenne, and bay leaves. Add the tomatoes and their juices, the tomato sauce, 2 bottles of the beer and 4 cups of water.
Bring the mixture to a boil over moderate heat. Reduce the heat to low and simmer, uncovered, for 3 hours. Stir gently every 30 minutes, but do not stir during the last 15 to 20 minutes so all of the fat will rise to the top. Meanwhile, prepare the beans. Put the bacon in a large, heavy saucepan set over moderate heat. Cook, stirring frequently, until crisp and deep golden brown. Spoon off all but 1 tablespoon of the fat.
Drain the beans (no matter which soaking technique you have used) and measure the liquid. Add water to make 6 cups. Add the beans and liquid to the bacon in the pan and bring to a boil, stirring frequently, over moderate heat. Reduce the heat to low, partially cover, and simmer for 1 hour. Add the garlic and salt, partially cover, and simmer until the beans are tender, about 1 hour longer. Remove from the heat and set aside.
When the chili has cooked for 3 hours, degrease it, skimming off most of the fat. Place a paper towel flat on the surface to soak up any remaining fat repeat, if necessary. Stir in the remaining 1/4 cup chili powder, 1 tablespoon cocoa, 1 teaspoon cumin, and 1 teaspoon oregano. Taste for balance of acidity to sweetness and stir in the remaining 1 tablespoon sugar, if needed. Add the beans and their cooking liquid. Set the chili aside to cool to room temperature.
If making ahead, cover and refrigerate overnight. Pre-heat the oven to 300 degrees. Stir the remaining 1 bottle of beer into the chili. Bake, uncovered, for 2 hours, stirring once in a while. Serve hot. This recipe yields 12 servings (20 cups).
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