Olive on Tap Chuck Wagon
Chili for the Slow Cooker
INGREDIENTS:
1/4 cup chili powder
3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
2 teaspoons dried oregano, crumbled between your fingers
3 bay leaves
2 teaspoons light or dark brown sugar
4 pounds boneless beef chuck, trimmed and cut into 1
1/2- to 2-inch cubes
1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
2 1/2 tablespoons kosher salt
3 tablespoons Olive on Tap Shallot Olive Oil
3 medium onions, coarsely chopped (about 4 cups)
1 1/2 cups chopped celery, including leaves
6 cloves garlic, roughly chopped
2 jalapeño chiles, roughly chopped-(optional)
One 12-ounce bottle dark beer
2 tablespoons tomato paste
One 28-ounce can crushed tomatoes
1 ounce semisweet chocolate, coarsely chopped
3 tablespoons masa harina (corn flour, not cornstarch)
1/2 cup chopped fresh cilantro leaves
1/2 cup chopped fresh parley leaves
Grated cheddar cheese, for garnish, Chopped green onion
for garnish, Sour cream, for garnish
DIRECTIONS:
1. Combine the chili powder, cinnamon, oregano, bay leaves, and brown sugar in a small bowl; set the spice mixture aside.
2.
Add the beef to a medium bowl and season with the pepper and 1
tablespoon of the kosher salt.
3. Heat 2 tablespoons of the olive oil in a 12-inch or larger
skillet over high heat. Add enough beef to fill the pan and cook
until nicely browned on one side, about 2 minutes. Turn the
pieces over and cook for another 2 minutes. Transfer the browned
beef to the crock of a 6-quart slow cooker. Repeat with the
remaining beef, adding the remaining vegetable oil between
batches as necessary.
4. Add the onions, celery, and 1 tablespoon of the remaining
salt to the skillet and cook, stirring, until the vegetables
begin to soften, about 2 minutes. Add the garlic, jalapeños, and
spice mixture and cook for 1 minute longer. Pour in the beer,
tomato paste, and crushed tomatoes and simmer for 3 minutes.
Stir in the chocolate, masa harina, and remaining 1 1/2
teaspoons salt and cook for 1 minute longer. Transfer this
mixture to the slow cooker. Cover and cook the chili on high,
undisturbed or stirring only once during cooking, for 6 hours,
or until the beef is very tender. Remove the bay leaves and stir
in the cilantro and parsley. Serve the chili hot in bowls,
topped with grated cheddar, chopped green onion, and sour cream.
Yield: Generous 12 cups, 6 servings
Note: Leftover chili may thicken up and need to be reheated with
a little low-sodium broth.
