Choose Chili in Cold Weather!

Cooking Tony’s Prize Winning Chili

I love chili and have stirred more than a few gallons of it. It’s hearty, filling and it’s fab fare on a cold day!  There is no doubt about it—today is a Chiberia* day, and with the Super Bowl coming up, what could be better?

Our family recipe was traditionally ground beef served Cincinnati-style over spaghetti with Delta tamales. Then I met white bean chili with chicken while working at Southern Living magazine. These days the Drapers’ chili of choice starts with a beef chuck roast. This Texas-style version is inspired by a recipe I tasted while working on a recipe contest project. I shared it with my brother who added a dash of this and that and it morphed into Tony’s Prize-Winning Chili!

If you’re entertaining, you can ladle it into a slow-cooker and create a chili bar. Surround it with foods such as spaghetti, rice, or tamales; add assorted go-alongs —chopped cilantro, jalapeno chilés, multi-color onions, cheese, sour cream, guacamole or avocado chunks. Cook it up and set it out, your family and friends will absolutely love it!

*Chiberia Name given to area of extreme cold in mid-Western USA during storm

Tony’s Prize-Winning Chili

3-1/2 lbs. boneless beef chuck roast

3-4 Tablespoons cooking oil, divided

1/2  cup chili powder*

3 cups chopped onions (approx.3 medium onions)

2 Tablespoons minced garlic (approx. 4 cloves)

2 28-oz. cans peeled whole tomatoes

1 4-oz. can jalapenos, seeded and chopped

2 Tablespoons brown sugar, packed

1 Tablespoon red wine vinegar

1 Tablespoon dried oregano

1 Tablespoon salt

1 Tablespoon ground cumin

3 bay leaves

2 15-1/2 oz. cans red kidney beans

1 Tablespoon cornmeal (white or yellow)

Spaghetti, Rice, Tamales

Toppings: Shredded cheddar, Chihuahua cheese, red onions, chopped cilantro, guacamole, chopped avocado, sour cream, jalapeno chilé slices, olives, sour cream, tortilla chips

Trim fat and cut roast into 3/4-inch cubes. In 8-quart Dutch oven with 2 tablespoons oil, brown meat in ½ pound batches over medium heat, adding 1 tablespoon oil if needed. Remove meat. In 2-gallon zip-top plastic bag or large bowl combine browned meat and chili powder mixing until meat is well coated.

Sauté onions, garlic and peppers in remaining oil over medium heat until onions are lightly browned. Add tomatoes and meat mixture. Cook uncovered over medium heat for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally. Stir in brown sugar, vinegar, remaining seasonings and kidney beans.

Reduce heat to low; cover and cook for 2 hours, stirring occasionally. After 2 hours, stir in cornmeal. Serve over spaghetti, rice or tamales with toppings, if desired. YIELD: Approximately 5 quarts, 12 to 16 servings.

*Note: If desired you may substitute hot chili powder. 

To Make Ahead: Prepare chili as directed. Remove from heat. To cool quickly, ladle prepared chili into shallow baking dish or casserole. When cooled, cover and place in refrigerator or freezer. Freeze 2 to 4 months; thaw in refrigerator.