Chili Con Carne
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INGREDIENTS 3 pounds top round, cut into ½-inch cubes
6 tablespoons vegetable oil
2 cups coarsely chopped onions
2 tablespoons finely chopped garlic
4 tablespoons chili powder, more or less to taste
1 teaspoon oregano
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
1 (6-ounce) can tomato paste
Freshly ground black pepper
4 cups beef stock, fresh or canned
1 teaspoon salt
1-½ cups freshly cooked red kidney beans or drained canned kidney beansPat the meat dry with paper towels.
Then, in a 12-inch heavy skillet, heat 4 tablespoons of the oil until a light haze forms above it. Add the meat and cook over high heat for 2 to 3 minutes, stirring, until the meat is lightly browned. With a slotted spoon transfer it to a 4-quart heavy flameproof casserole. Add the remaining 2 tablespoons of oil to the skillet and in it cook the onion and garlic, for 4 to 5 minutes, stirring frequently.
Remove the skillet from the heat, add the 4 tablespoons of chili powder, or to taste, oregano, cumin and pepper flakes, and stir until the onions are well coated with the mixture. Then add the tomato paste, pour in the beef stock and with a large spoon mix the ingredients together thoroughly before adding them to the meat in the casserole. Add the salt and a few grindings of black pepper. Bring to a boil, stirring once or twice, then half cover the pot, turn the heat to low and simmer for 1 to 1-½ hours, or until the meat is tender.
Add beans to the casserole 15 minutes or so before the meat is done, or if you prefer, serve the chili with the Three Bean Salad.
In either case, before serving the chili, skim it of as much of the surface fat as you can. If the chili is refrigerated overnight, the fat will rise to the surface and can be easily skimmed off before reheating.
NOTE - Chili con Carne is often made with coarsely ground chuck in place of the cubed round steak. If you prefer it this way, follow the above recipe, but be sure to break up the ground chuck with a fork as you brown it.
Serves 6 to 8