If you are looking for a killer chili recipe, take a look at the Three Chili Chili. But... that recipe does cost a bit to make and sometimes you want something a little cheaper but still with a ton of flavor. That is what you will find with this.
Why is it called the "close to the border" chili? There are a couple of secrets that make this chili so good. What are the secrets you ask? Chocolate and Masa. I brought the mole secret from the Three Chili Chili, to this recipe. It makes all the difference.
Ingredients:
- 8 slices of bacon
- 1 3-4 lb chuck roast cut into 1/2in cubes
- kosher salt
- 1 large onion, diced
- 1 jalepeno, diced
- 4 cloves garlic, diced
- 2 tbs tomato paste
- 1 tbs ancho chili powder
- 1 tbs chipotle chili powder
- 1/2 tbs oregano
- 1/2 tbs ground cumin
- 1 - 28 oz can crushed tomatoes
- 1/2 cup light beer
- 32 oz beef broth
- 1 cup water
- 2 oz bittersweet chocolate
- 1/3 cup masa
Toppings:
- Cheddar cheese, shredded
- Sour cream or crema
- Green onions, chopped
- Cilantro
- Fritos
Directions:
- In a large pot, cook the bacon. Remove the bacon and set aside.
- Using the bacon fat, turn it up to medium-high, add the beef and brown on 2 sides until browned. Set aside. This will take 2-3 batches to do.
- Lower the heat to medium. Add the onion, jalapeno & garlic and saute for about 5 min.
- Add the tomato paste and dry spices. Stir until well combined.
- Add the beef & bacon. Stir until the beef is well coated.
- Add the tomatoes, beer, beef broth and water.
- Bring to a boil then reduce and simmer for about 2 hours.
- Break up the chocolate into smaller pieces and add to the chili. Add the masa and stir well. Let simmer for 15 minutes.
- Eat!