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The Only Texas Chili Recipe You’ll Ever Need

by Reposted Article

By Courtney Bond December 2015 From Texas Monthly

This article originally appeared in the December 2015 issue of  Texas Monthly with the headline “Chili.”

Bust out the Dutch ovens: it’s getting “chili” in Texas. The origins of the robust dish Texans fervently claim as their own are, as food writers are wont to say, lost to history. But Frank X. Tolbert, in his 1953 treatise on Texas chili, A Bowl of Red, made a pretty good case for San Antonio as the birthplace of the ruddy, lustrous, peppery pot of meat we’re so fond of. So did the Sixty-fifth Legislature, which anointed it our official dish in 1977, boldly declaring that “Texans continue today the tradition begun in San Antonio 140 years ago of making the best and only authentic concoction of this piquant delicacy.” No doubt chili’s connection to Texas is deep and indisputable, from Gebhardt to Wolf brand, from the late-nineteenth-century “chili queens” of the Alamo City’s downtown plazas to the modern-day maestros of the Terlingua cookoffs.

But don’t look for a united Texan front when it comes to defining “authentic” (except for a near universal, almost hysterical aversion to the inclusion of beans). I lack the fortitude to wade into the murky depths of secret formulas and verboten ingredients and therefore align myself with the author of this recipe, Terry Thompson-Anderson, who reasonably suggests that perhaps “the rivalry and the controversy make for dozens of equally fabulous bowls of chili.”

 

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The Only Texas Chili Recipe You’ll Ever Need

Adapted from Texas on the Table, by Terry Thompson-Anderson. Published by the University of Texas Press.
Course Dinner, First Course, Lunch, Main Course
Cuisine Tex-Mex
Keywords Chili, Texas Chili
Protein Beef
Cooking Method Dutch Oven
Hot/Cold Dish Hot
Prep Time 1 hour
Cook Time 3 hours
Total Time 4 hours
Servings 10 servings

What You Will Need:

  • 12 ancho chiles - stems and seeds removed
  • 7 pasilla chiles - stems and seeds removed
  • 2 1/2 tablespoons cumin seeds - toasted, then ground
  • 1 tablespoon coriander seeds - whole toasted, then ground
  • 1 1/2 tablespoons oregano - dried Mexican
  • 2 teaspoons unsweetened cocoa
  • 1 1/2 tablespoons sweet Hungarian paprika
  • 1/2 teaspoon cayenne
  • 2 teaspoons freshly ground black pepper
  • 6 pounds beef chuck roast
  • 1/3 cup fresh leaf lard - preferable or shortening
  • 2 large onions - chopped
  • 15 garlic cloves - minced
  • 2/3 cup tomato paste
  • 1 15 oz tomato sauce - 15 ounces tomato sauce
  • 3 quarts chicken stock - set aside 2/3 cup for the masa harina
  • 1/2 cup masa harina - whisked into 2/3 cup hot chicken stock
  • kosher salt - to taste

Equipment Needed:

  • large heavy pan, Dutch oven

Method:

  • Heat a heavy-bottomed 12- to 14-inch skillet over medium-high heat. When the pan is hot, add a layer of the chiles. Cook, turning often, until a strong chile aroma—one that is not bitter or charred—emanates from the pan. Do not allow the chiles to burn. Spread the chiles on a wire rack to cool and become moderately crisp. Repeat until all the chiles have been toasted. Grind the chiles to a fine powder in an electric spice or coffee grinder. Shake the chile powder through a fine strainer to remove any large pieces. Combine the ground chiles with the cumin, coriander, oregano, cocoa, paprika, cayenne, and black pepper. Set the mixture aside.
  • Trim the chuck roast, removing all fat, gristle, and tendons. Chop the meat by hand into 1/2-inch dice; set aside. Melt the lard in a heavy-bottomed 8-quart (or larger) Dutch oven over medium-high heat. When the fat is hot, add the meat and sear, stirring often. Add the onions and garlic. Cook, stirring often, until the onions are wilted and transparent, about 7 minutes. Add the tomato paste and stir to blend well. Cook, stirring, until the tomato paste is thick and dark in color, about 5 minutes. Add the tomato sauce and chile-spice mixture. Stir to blend well, then add the chicken stock. Bring the mixture to a full boil, then lower heat to a simmer and cover. Cook, stirring occasionally, for about 1 1/2 hours. Stir in the masa mixture and salt to taste. Cook, uncovered, an additional 30 to 45 minutes on low-medium heat, or until the chili is thickened and the meat is fork-tender. Stir often to prevent sticking. Taste and adjust seasonings as desired. Serve hot and add your favorite toppings (diced onion, avocado, sour cream, shredded cheese, corn chips, et cetera).

Nutrition

Nutrition Facts
The Only Texas Chili Recipe You’ll Ever Need
Amount Per Serving
Calories 872
Calories from Fat 405
% Daily Value*
Fat 45g69%
Saturated Fat 17g106%
Trans Fat 3g
Polyunsaturated Fat 7g
Monounsaturated Fat 21g
Cholesterol 196mg65%
Sodium 852mg37%
Potassium 2360mg67%
Carbohydrates 57g19%
Fiber 15g63%
Sugar 28g31%
Protein 67g134%
Vitamin A 12184IU244%
Vitamin C 31mg38%
Calcium 145mg15%
Iron 12mg67%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

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