Chili

Cooks Illustrated 2005 March April page 11

Great

% Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet

Step 1

Heat oil in large heavy-bottomed non-reactive Dutch oven over medium heat until shimmering but not smokng, 3-4 minutes. Add onions, bell pepper, garlic, cumin, coriander pepper flakes, oregano, and cayenne; cook, stirring occasionally, until vegetables are softened and beginning to brown, about 10 minutes. Increase heat to medium-high and add half the beef; cook, breaking up pieces with wooden spoon, until no longer pink and just beginning to brown, 3-4 minutes. Add remainng beef and cook, breaking up pieces with wooden spoon until no longer pink, 3-4 minutes.

Step 2

Add beans, tomatoes, tomato puree, and 1/2 teaspoons salt; bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low and simmer, covered, stirring occasionally, for 1 hour. Remove cover and continue to simmer 1 hour longer, stirring occasionally (if chli begins to stick to bottom of pot, stir in 1/2 cup water and continue to simmer), until beef is tender and chili is dark, rich, and slightly thickened. Adjust seasoning with additional salt. Serve with lime wedges and condiments if desired.

Step 3

SLOW COOKER OPTION: At the end of step 1, transfer the cooked beef mixture to a slow cooker; add the rest of the ingredients as directed in step 2. Cook the chili on high for 4 hours.