Chilli con carne

 

Method 1

Ingredients

1 large onion

1 red pepper

2 garlic cloves

1 tbsp oil

1 heaped tsp hot chilli powder

(or 1 level tbsp if you only have mild)

1 tsp paprika

1 tsp ground cumin

500g lean minced beef

1 beef stock cube

400g can chopped tomatoes

½ tsp dried marjoram

1 tsp sugar

(or add a thumbnail-sized piece of dark chocolate along with the beans instead, see tip)

2 tbsp tomato purée

410g can red kidney beans

plain boiled long grain rice

to serve

soured cream

to serve

step 1

Prepare your vegetables. Chop 1 large onion into small dice, about 5mm square. The easiest way to do this is to cut the onion in half from root to tip, peel it and slice each half into thick matchsticks lengthways, not quite cutting all the way to the root end so they are still held together. Slice across the matchsticks into neat dice.

step 2

Cut 1 red pepper in half lengthways, remove stalk and wash the seeds away, then chop. Peel and finely chop 2 garlic cloves.

step 3

Start cooking. Put your pan on the hob over a medium heat. Add 1 tbsp oil and leave it for 1-2 minutes until hot (a little longer for an electric hob).

step 4

Add the onion and cook, stirring fairly frequently, for about 5 minutes, or until the onion is soft, squidgy and slightly translucent.

step 5

Tip in the garlic, red pepper, 1 heaped tsp hot chilli powder or 1 level tbsp mild chilli powder, 1 tsp paprika and 1 tsp ground cumin.

step 6

Give it a good stir, then leave it to cook for another 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.

step 7

Brown 500g lean minced beef. Turn the heat up a bit, add the meat to the pan and break it up with your spoon or spatula. The mix should sizzle a bit when you add the mince.

step 8

Keep stirring and prodding for at least 5 minutes, until all the mince is in uniform, mince-sized lumps and there are no more pink bits. Make sure you keep the heat hot enough for the meat to fry and become brown, rather than just stew.

step 9

Make the sauce. Crumble 1 beef stock cube into 300ml hot water. Pour this into the pan with the mince mixture.

step 10

Add a 400g can of chopped tomatoes. Tip in ½ tsp dried marjoram, 1 tsp sugar and add a good shake of salt and pepper. Squirt in about 2 tbsp tomato purée and stir the sauce well.

step 11

Simmer it gently. Bring the whole thing to the boil, give it a good stir and put a lid on the pan. Turn down the heat until it is gently bubbling and leave it for 20 minutes.

step 12

Check on the pan occasionally to stir it and make sure the sauce doesn’t catch on the bottom of the pan or isn’t drying out. If it is, add a couple of tablespoons of water and make sure that the heat really is low enough. After simmering gently, the saucy mince mixture should look thick, moist and juicy.

step 13

Drain and rinse a 410g can of red kidney beans in a sieve and stir them into the chilli pot. Bring to the boil again, and gently bubble without the lid for another 10 minutes, adding a little more water if it looks too dry.

step 14

Taste a bit of the chilli and season. It will probably take a lot more seasoning than you think.

step 15

Now replace the lid, turn off the heat and leave your chilli to stand for 10 minutes before serving. This is really important as it allows the flavours to mingle.

step 16

Serve with soured cream and plain boiled long grain rice.

Recipe tips

Serving suggestions for chilli con carne

Serve it on a bed of plain, boiled rice, with a spoonful of soured cream on top. Pile it on tortilla chips and sprinkle it with grated cheddar. Wrap it up in a tortilla with shredded lettuce, chopped tomatoes and guacamole for a great burrito.

What to serve with chilli con carne

This versatile dish works well with a variety of sides.

Nachos add some crunchy texture and act as a good dipping material.

If your chilli is extra spicy, then a bowl of coleslaw brings a cooling element.

Add a fresh salad for a light side - try our colourful Mexican corn salad or avocado and black bean salad.

For those with a big appetite, then potato wedges or loaded potato skins are good options for padding out the meal.

Tip to increase the flavour

Rather than add the teaspoon of sugar, you can stir in a small piece of chocolate (about the size of your thumbnail) when you add the beans. Any plain dark chocolate will do. Be careful not to add too much – you don’t want to be able to identify the flavour of the chocolate.

Try our vegan chilli recipe from our sister title olivemagazine.com/vegan-chilli.

Method 2

Ingredients:

- 1 tbsp olive oil

- 1 onion, chopped

- 1 red bell pepper, chopped

- 2 cloves garlic, minced

- 1 lb ground beef

- 1 tbsp chilli powder

- 1 tsp cumin

- 1 tsp paprika

- 1/2 tsp oregano

- 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper (optional for extra heat)

- 1 can (14 oz) diced tomatoes

- 1 can (14 oz) kidney beans, drained and rinsed

- Salt and pepper to taste

- Optional toppings: shredded cheese, sour cream, chopped green onions

Instructions:

1. Heat the olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the onion, bell pepper, and garlic and cook until softened, about 5 minutes.

2. Add the ground beef and cook until browned, breaking it up with a spoon as it cooks.

3. Stir in the chilli powder, cumin, paprika, oregano, and cayenne pepper. Cook for another minute.

4. Add the diced tomatoes with their juices and the kidney beans. Bring to a simmer.

5. Reduce the heat to low, cover, and let it simmer for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together.

6. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

7. Serve hot with your choice of toppings. Enjoy your homemade Chilli con Carne!