National Chili Day...

{This is a picture of my chili shot by the Tennessean}


Today is national chili day. There ain't nothing better than a good ole bowl of chili to warm the soul on a cold day. With the weather the way it is right now here in the south, we can wear shorts one day and long johns the next day.

Old Man Winter, just ain't ready to cut us loose just yet. So chili is a good thing in times like this. I have looked at thousands of chili recipes on the Internet. They can be very simple to very complex and contain everything...except the kitchen sink.

The chili recipe I came up with has evolved over the years. It's a very meaty chili full of flavor and yes...it contains beans.

Now, before the chili purist blows my recipe off ( don't get a knot in your shorts ) that's why it contains a lot of meat, so the beans can be left out or served on the side as true chili was intended. But for folks that like beans in chili...well, there you go.

So since this is National Chili Day, I will share my recipe with you.

Not everything has to be added that's in this recipe because this does make a big batch. You can cut it in half, leave out some of the beans or some of the meat. The flavor will still be the same no matter what you do.


And one note:

The Modelo is a Mexican beer-good to cook with-sucks to drink and the trick for this chili is to let the meats simmer in the spices for 10 mins. that lets the meat absorb the flavor.

Ever had a chili that was good but the hamburger meat tasted just like...cooked hamburger meat? I found out a long time ago if you simmer it for 10 mins (no shorter-no longer)

The meat will taste just like real chili meat should taste.

Enjoy!!!


B.D.’s Chili

3 cans Ranch style Original Texas beans

1 can (1 lb. 12 oz) Del Monte diced tomatoes with garlic & onions

1 lb. Ground chuck beef

1 lb. Ground sirloin

Small package of stew meat (cut larger chunks into smaller pieces)

1 lb. Ground Angus beef

1 can Rotel chili fixins

1 pkg. McCormick Chili seasoning (hot or mild)

1/2 to 1 tbs. Chipotle Chile pepper powder

1/2 tbs. Mexican-Style chili powder

1 can of Modelo Beer

1 can (14.5 oz.) crushed tomatoes
1/4 cup chopped sweet onions

1 Tbs. Chopped Jalapeno peppers ( in a can )

add ground Cumin and brown sugar to taste--1 Tbs. of each is what I do

In a large pot, put beans, tomatoes, crushed tomatoes, Rotel, and ½ can beer. Heat slowly.

Meantime, brown stew meat in a little oil and dusted with Chipotle pepper powder first. Do not drain, add to pot.

Brown ground chuck beef (do not drain), add chili seasoning, mix well then lower the heat and simmer for 10 min. Add to pot.

Brown sirloin & ground Angus beef, add Chipotle pepper powder and Mexican powder and onions, and the other half of the beer. Mix well and reduce heat and simmer for 10 min. Add to pot, mixing everything together well.

Simmer for 3 hrs on low heat, covered. Stir occasionally.