How To Make Chili

The king of all American cuisine! Classic chili has hundreds of variations and spices. Hot, cold, spicy or mild, there is a chili recipe for everyone. It takes just a few minutes to learn, but a lifetime to master. Follow our chef, "CJ" aka Chris Jacobson and make this chili recipe your own.
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Step 1:
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You will need
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1 kg ground beef
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2 medium celery stalks , chopped
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2 medium carrots , chopped
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½ medium onion , diced
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1 Anaheim chile , diced
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1 Pasilla chile , diced
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4 Jalapeno chiles , diced
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8 chili powder , toasted
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4 cumin , toasted
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3 garlic cloves , chopped
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1 kg peeled tomatoes
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1 large ham hock , smoked
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4 cups (1000ml) chicken stock
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2 cups (500ml) cannellini beans
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2 cups (500ml) kidney beans
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1 cups (250ml) black beans
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1 cups (250ml) Cheddar cheese , shredded
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2 green onion , diced
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2 cilantro , chopped
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Step 2:
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Brown The Beef
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In a large pot, cover the bottom with canola oil and add 2 lbs (1 kg) ground beef. Salt and pepper to taste and sauté for 5 minutes, or until brown. The meat does not have to be cooked all the way through as it will cook further when all ingredients are combined. Pour the browned beef into a bowl when done.
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Step 3:
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Vegetable Variety
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In the same large pot, add a little more canola oil and add 2 chopped celery stalks, 2 chopped carrots, 1 diced Pasilla chile, 1 diced Anaheim chile and 4 diced Jalapeno chiles. Salt and pepper to taste and sauté until softened. Once soft, continue by adding 1/2 diced onion and 3 chopped garlic cloves. Continue to sauté all vegetables until soft.
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Step 4:
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Toasted Spices
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In a separate, ungreased pan, combine 8 Tbsp chili powder and 4 Tbsp cumin. Toast over a medium heat for just 2-3 minutes, or until the spices begin to smoke. Stir the spices constantly to toast all the way through. Once toasted, add the spices to the pot of sautéed vegetables and incorporate.
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Step 5:
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Rich, Meaty Sauce
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Once the vegetables and toasted spices are mixed, add the browned beef back to the main pot and stir. Add 1 large can (1 kg) peeled tomatoes to the pot and mix thoroughly. For added flavor, add 1 smoked ham hock to the middle of the pot and cover with the ingredients. Finish by adding 4 cups (1 L) chicken stock to cover the ingredients. Bring the contents up to a boil, then down to a simmer. Cover and simmer for 3 hours.
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Step 6:
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The Main Ingredient
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After 1 hour of simmering, add 2 cups (500 g) cannellini beans, 2 cups (500 g) kidney beans and 1 cup (340 g) black beans. Stir the beans into the chili, cover, and continue to simmer for another 2 hours. Remember to stir occasionally during the next 2 hours to keep the flavors and ingredients incorporated.
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Step 7:
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Garnish And Serve
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Ladle the chili into a bowl and garnish with some shredded Cheddar cheese, diced green onion, chopped cilantro and a squeeze of lemon (if desired). Serve hot and enjoy!
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Step 8:
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Done.