Chili

Chili is a beloved classic, especially during Super Bowl season, where it has become a tradition for many households. Originating from Oklahoma, this chili recipe has been faithfully served by Joe, a dedicated chili enthusiast. This hearty and satisfying dish, accompanied by cornbread and a refreshing salad, creates a complete meal that is sure to please everyone at the table. The fun part is setting up a topping station with sour cream, cheese, avocados, and a variety of hot sauces, allowing guests to customize their bowls to their liking.

INGREDIENTS:

• 1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon olive oil
• 1½ cups chopped yellow onion
• 5 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 pound ground beef
• 1 pound bulk hot sausage
• 2 (12-ounce) bottles beer
• 2 (14.5-ounce) cans fire-roasted or plum tomatoes, with their juice
• 1 cup water
• 1–2 teaspoons ancho chile powder
• 1–2 teaspoons chipotle chile powder
• 1 tablespoon ground cumin
• 2 teaspoons dried oregano
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon minced fresh ginger
• ¼ teaspoon ground allspice
• ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 2 (15-ounce) cans red kidney beans, rinsed and drained
• 2–4 tablespoons hot sauce
• Sour cream, for garnish
• Grated cheddar cheese, for garnish
• Sliced avocados, for garnish
• Scallions, for garnish

PREPARATIONS:

1. Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a pot over medium heat. Add the chopped onions and cook until translucent, approximately 10 minutes. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for an additional minute.
2. In a separate skillet, heat 1 teaspoon of olive oil over medium heat. Crumble in the ground beef and hot sausage, and cook until they are no longer pink, about 8 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, transfer the cooked meat to the pot with the onions.
3. Add the beer, fire-roasted or plum tomatoes (with their juice), water, ancho chile powder, chipotle chile powder, ground cumin, dried oregano, salt, minced ginger, ground allspice, and freshly ground black pepper to the pot. Lower the heat, cover the pot, and let it simmer for 1½ hours, occasionally breaking up the tomatoes with a spoon.
4. After 1½ hours, add the rinsed and drained red kidney beans to the pot and continue to simmer for an additional 45 minutes.
5. Just before serving, stir in the desired amount of hot sauce.
6. Serve the chili with a variety of garnishes such as sour cream, grated cheddar cheese, sliced avocados, and chopped scallions.

SERVES 6

SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS:

• Adjust the amount of ancho chile powder, chipotle chile powder, and hot sauce according to your preferred level of spiciness.
• Feel free to experiment with different types of beans or add additional vegetables like bell peppers or corn for added texture and flavor.
• For an even richer flavor, you can use dark beer instead of regular beer.

TIPS:

• Allow the chili to simmer for the recommended times to allow the flavors to meld together and develop depth.
• Consider serving the chili in a bread bowl or alongside cornbread for a complete and satisfying meal.
• Encourage guests to customize their bowls by setting up a topping station with sour cream, grated cheddar cheese, sliced avocados, and chopped scallions.

In conclusion, this chili recipe hailing from Oklahoma is a Super Bowl Sunday favorite, cherished and faithfully served by Joe and his family. It has all the elements of a comforting and hearty meal, perfectly paired with cornbread and a fresh salad. The topping station with sour cream, cheese, avocados, and hot sauces adds a fun and interactive element, allowing each person to personalize their chili bowl.

The combination of ground beef, hot sausage, fire-roasted tomatoes, and a medley of aromatic spices creates a robust and flavorful base. The long simmering time allows the flavors to meld together, resulting in a rich and deeply satisfying chili. The addition of kidney beans adds texture and a boost of protein to make the dish even more filling.

This recipe offers flexibility in terms of spice level, as you can adjust the amount of ancho chile powder, chipotle chile powder, and hot sauce according to your preferences. Feel free to experiment by incorporating different types of beans or adding vegetables for added variety.

When serving, encourage your guests to get creative with the toppings. The creamy sour cream, sharp cheddar cheese, creamy avocados, and fresh scallions add layers of flavor and visual appeal to the chili.

Whether you’re hosting a Super Bowl party or simply craving a comforting meal, this chili recipe is sure to be a hit. So, gather your ingredients, embrace the warm and inviting aromas, and savor the goodness of this classic chili.