Chili Con Carne

What to do with stew beef? Well I hate beef stew and I had some chilis, so chili con carne it is!


4 strips of bacon, chopped
1 diced onion
1.5lbs stew beef, cubed
6 dried red chilis
1 tsp salt
1 tsp pepper
1 tsp cumin
4 poblano peppers
1 15oz can diced tomatoes
1 15oz can (or 2 cups) cooked pinto beans

A few key ingredients:

1. fry the bacon over low heat in a heavy bottom pan until the bacon is crisp and fat renders out. Remove bacon to paper towel to drain and remove half the fat in reserve for later.

2. increase heat to med-high and brown the beef, about 5-7 min. remove the browned meat to another plate (or crockpot if you're going to use it)

3. add the reserved bacon fat and onions and peppers and saute. While the onions are saute-ing, grind the chilis in the coffee grinder, or chop very fine.

4. Combine all spices in a small bowl and add water to make a paste



5. add the spice paste, browned meat, tomatoes, 1 can water (approx 2 cups) and bring up to a simmer.



6. Chili gets better with age so feel free to stop now and put in fridge, or complete one of the following:
a.) simmer 2 hours on stove
b.) put in crockpot on low for 10 hours
c.) crockpot on high for 5 hours

enjoy!