A hearty bowl of chili is the ideal thing to keep the chill away, though courtesy of the cool homemade cumin crema and refreshing avocado relish, it's great in warm, weather too!
Directions for: Beef and Black Bean Chili with Toasted Cumin Crema and Avocado Relish
Ingredients
Chilicup olive oil
2 lb(s) beef, cut into 1/2-inch cubes
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
1 large red onion, finely diced
4 cloves garlic, finely chopped
3 Tbsp ancho chili powder
1 Tbsp pasilla chili powder
1 Tbsp ground cumin
1 bottle dark beer
5 cups homemade chicken stock, or canned low-sodium, or water
1 (16-oz) can chopped tomatoes, drained and pureed
1 Tbsp chipotle pepper puree
1 Tbsp honey
2 cups cooked or canned black beans, rinsed and drained
2 Tbsp lime juice
Toasted Cumin Crema, recipe follows
Avocado Relish, recipe follows
Toasted Cumin Crema1 Tbsp cumin seed
1 cup Mexican crema or creme fraiche
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
Avocado Relish2 ripe Hass avocados, peeled, pitted and diced
small red onion, finely diced
1 jalapeno or serrano chile, finely diced
Lime juice
Chopped cilantro leaves
Salt and pepper
Directions
Chili1. Heat oil in a large Dutch oven over high heat. Season the beef with salt and pepper, and saute until browned on all sides. Transfer the meat to a plate and remove all but 3 tablespoons of the fat from the pan.
2. Add the onions to the pan and cook until soft. Add the garlic and cook for 2 minutes. Add the ancho powder, pasilla powder, and cumin and cook an additional 2 minutes. Add the beer and cook until completely reduced. Return the beef to the pot, add the chicken stock, tomatoes, chipotle puree, and honey, and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to medium, cover the pan, and simmer for 45 minutes. Add the beans and continue cooking for 15 minutes. Remove from the heat, add the lime juice, and adjust seasonings.
3. Serve with a dollop of Toasted Cumin Crema and Avocado Relish.
Toasted Cumin Crema1. Place the cumin in a small saute pan over medium heat. Toast until lightly golden brown. Place in a small bowl. Stir in the crema and season with salt and pepper, to taste. Place in a squeeze bottle.
Avocado Relish1. Combine all ingredients in a small bowl and season with salt and pepper.
See more: Beef, Beans, Comfort Food, Main, Tomatoes