When my husband and I decided to clean up our diet, we moved toward farm fresh foods and organic produce. Any of your family's favorite recipes can be improved with higher quality ingredients. We now belong to several farm buying clubs and frequent our local farmer's market to get the ingredients to our tried and true recipes.
Recently, the McLean Business Forum hosted a Chili Cookoff for our members. I created a recipe designed to win, and fortunately the judges agreed. The recipe used no package mixes, just freshly chopped peppers, onions and grassfed meat from one of the farms where we buy our meat. I share this winning recipe to show you that cooking from scratch can be so rewarding and tasty! Make home cooked meals a staple in your quest for better health! Your family and friends will be glad!
Kimberly’s 5-Alarm FIRE! Chili
Cook-Off Crowd Favorite
⚠ Chef’s Warning:
May cause spontaneous sweating, sudden happiness, and an irresistible urge to ask for seconds.
Rehydrate the Heat
Place in a mug of hot water until soft:
• 2–4 dried chipotle peppers
• 2–4 dried habanero peppers
Sauté the Vegetables
In a large stock pot sauté in 2 Tbsp bacon grease until onions are soft:
• 1 large onion, chopped
• 1 large green pepper, chopped
• 6 mini sweet peppers (red, orange, yellow)
• 1–2 fresh jalapeños, seeded and chopped
• 2 tsp chopped garlic
Remove from heat and set aside.
Brown the Beef
In a large fry pan brown 2 lbs grass-fed ground beef, breaking into chunks.
Add 2 tsp salt. When no pink remains, add beef to the vegetable pot.
Build the Chili Base
Add and bring to a boil, then reduce heat and stew for 1 hour:
• 1 cup organic beef bone broth
• 1 can (28 oz) fire-roasted tomatoes
• 1 can (28 oz) whole tomatoes
• 1 can (15 oz) pinto beans
• 1 can (15 oz) black beans
• 1 can (15 oz) kidney beans
• 2 tsp cumin
• 2 bay leaves
• 3 TBL cocoa powder
Finally… Add the Fire
Chop rehydrated peppers and stir in gradually, tasting until you reach your perfect heat level.
Too spicy? Add more tomatoes, broth, or beans.
💡 Pro Tip:
Chili is even better the next day once the flavors have had time to deepen.
Serve with cornbread, shredded cheese, sour cream… and brave friends.