Cin-Chili
Submitted by gmstarr
Slow-simmered beef chuck chili with layers of dark chili powder, serrano peppers, and sazon. A bold, beanless Texas-style bowl that builds heat in stages.
YIELD
6 servingsPREP
25 minCOOK
2 hrsREADY
2 hrsThis is chili the way Texas intended it: no beans, no apologies, just tender cubes of beef chuck swimming in a thick, spice-layered broth.
The secret here is patience. Seasonings go in at three different stages over a two-hour simmer, letting each round of chili powder, garlic, and pepper meld into something deep and complex.
Whole serrano peppers float on top during the long cook, lending their smoky heat without blowing the roof off.
A packet of sazon and a finish of cumin tie it all together with that unmistakable richness.
Pro Tips
- Cut your beef chuck into small, uniform cubes so they break down evenly during the long simmer.
- Float the serranos whole and fish them out before they fall apart. The longer they stay, the hotter the chili gets.
- This chili thickens as it sits overnight. Reheat with a splash of beef broth to loosen it up.
- Serve over spaghetti Cincinnati-style, or ladle it straight into a bowl with raw onion and shredded cheddar.
Ingredients
Directions
Step 1: In a 3 qt heavy saucepan, add the beef, cooking oil, dark chili powder and garlic and brown the meat.
Step 2: Combine the seasonings and liquids in step 2 and add to the beef mixture. Bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer for 1½ hrs. Float the serranos on top of the chili during this time, removing them before they fall apart.
Step 3: Combine seasonings and add to beef mixture. Bring to a boil. Reduce and simmer for 20 minutes. Adding small amounts of water or beef broth as needed for consistency.
Step 4: Add cumin. Taste and add salt(or other seasoning) as needed. Simmer for 10 minutes. Makes about six cups.
Comments
This is the recipe Cindy Reed Wilkins won with back-to-back in Terlingua, TX at the CASI International Chili Championship. This is Cindy's recipe called Cin Chili which is the name of her chili team. Also the name of her chili company...Cin Chili.