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Chili Beans

Source of Recipe

Linda K. Leone..2001


List of Ingredients

1 pound dried kidney beans (or your choice)
1 can beer
1 pound ground beef
3/4 pound ground pork
1/2 C ground, cooked kidney
1/2 tsp baking soda
1 large onion, minced
2 cloves garlic, pressed
2 bay leaves
1/8 tsp cinnamon
2 tsp ground cumin
1 tsp ground oregano
1/2 tsp crushed thyme
4 twist of the grinder, whole mixed peppercorns,
2 tsp salt
1 T finely grated orange zest
1/4 of a chipolte pepper in adobo sauce, minced
1/2 tsp finely minced cilantro
1 T dark molasses
4 oz tomato paste
Any vegetables as preferred, (i.e. chopped mushrooms, green chilies, corn, tomatoes. some times I will grate carrot and potato in and add with the beans and use it as a thickener.




Recipe

Soak the beans overnight. (or bring them to a boil and let set for 2 hours) Cook the beans until they are fairly tender.
meanwhile, cook the meats in a little fat or oil until browned, add the onion, garlic and bay leaf and cook a few minutes. Add remaining ingredients and cook until hot. Combine all and cook until beans are done to your liking.
If you are using vegetables, add them halfway through cooking beans. (carrots and potatoes at beginning so the cook to a mush)
These beans are better the with time, as the flavors meld. They also freeze well.