Let's Talk BBQ

Other Cooking Equipment => Other cooking Eqipment => Other cookers => Topic started by: pz on October 27, 2013, 01:24:59 AM

Title: Dutch oven chili
Post by: pz on October 27, 2013, 01:24:59 AM: It is rapidly becoming cold in northern Idaho, and the day was filled with winterizing chores. Pulled a couple of New York strip steaks from the freezer to make cold weather comfort food
The dried chiles - de-stemmed, seeds removed, and toasted on hot cast iron to bloom the flavors. All are mild to medium except the jalapeno. The blend of chiles brings many layers of flavors to the table
(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-7RXmPIsK_lc/UmyaurlzCdI/AAAAAAAAEqs/earnv6E-lG8/w1347-h898-no/IMG_2666.JPG)
2 cups of chicken stock plus the torn toasted peppers, blended smooth - this serves as the chili base
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-dKxkgAq9UFU/UmyazoffFzI/AAAAAAAAErA/Upb9PZsVXO0/w1347-h898-no/IMG_2670.JPG)
The fresh ingredients - left to right - pasilla, Serrano, and jalapeno - not pictured is garlic and tomato
(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/ngMiMm_vFQcno0O7A2BS6RA2IEKILFcqaqybut0Kspw=w1347-h898-no)
Fresh ingredients finely diced and sweating
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-hZ9v1khmeBc/UmyaxBTtCuI/AAAAAAAAEq4/dyugODfQs9M/w1347-h898-no/IMG_2669.JPG)
Steak was cubed and then browned on all sides - done in batches to keep from crowding the pan - chile base, meat, and beans were added to the pot, then seasoned with paprika, cumin, salt, and pepper
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-qi0Qmemro9k/Umybkx1APOI/AAAAAAAAEr0/nBtd7vBWF2k/w1347-h898-no/IMG_2668.JPG)
De-glazing the brown bits with one bottle - then added to the pot, which was placed in a 350F oven for an hour and 45 minutes
(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-o4bAcXp6lC8/Umya1NxFZhI/AAAAAAAAErI/tX_fUcYc1dE/w1347-h898-no/IMG_2671.JPG)
This bowl is topped with Bradley smoked cheddar
(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-eZs1vUjYQcg/Umya95i9MSI/AAAAAAAAEro/WasIn7QtZ6k/w1347-h898-no/IMG_2675.JPG)

We were delighted with the depth of flavor, but disappointed with the beans - not their presence, but that they were not tender. The meat was melt-in-your-mouth tender and all other aspects of the chili were quite good. The next time I'm not going to listen to my missus (who wanted me to use the oven), and will be cooking in the pressure cooker ;D
Title: Re: Dutch oven chili
Post by: drholly on October 27, 2013, 02:03:55 AM: That sure sounds good. Sorry about the beans - I like them in my "chili" too. Did you use canned beans or "raw"? I really like the peppers and spices you've used. Sounds like this would be an excellent dish.
Title: Re: Dutch oven chili
Post by: pz on October 27, 2013, 02:14:24 AM: Thanks David - I always use dried beans whenever practical (especially for more interesting dishes), and until now, have done them in the pressure cooker which always does them perfectly. I should have gone with my "gut", but my wife wanted me to try this method as a change. She now regrets not letting me do it my way ;D

However, she did really like the flavor, as did I
Title: Re: Dutch oven chili
Post by: Smokin Don on October 27, 2013, 02:34:27 AM: You had all the right ingredients. I prefer dry beans for chili and I have never been able to get the beans right unless I soak them overnight. I tried different faster methods but they never get as tender as I want. I like to use pinto beans. I do mine in a large pot on the stove. After all is in the pot and to a boil I turn down to low and let just simmer for 3 hours when I can. Some chef I must have thought well of, can't remember who, said you have to cook chili at least 3 hours for all the flavors to meld right. Don
Title: Re: Dutch oven chili
Post by: Ka Honu on October 27, 2013, 04:09:19 AM: pz - Excellent process - the only way to make chili (except, of course, for the beans).

OBTW, thanks to all of you who posted above me for making such great arguments for cooking beans separately and serving them alongside the chili. You know... the way it's supposed to be.
Title: Re: Dutch oven chili
Post by: HighOnSmoke on October 27, 2013, 07:40:18 AM: Tasty looking chili pz! Will have to try this way the next time I do chili!
Title: Re: Dutch oven chili
Post by: sliding_billy on October 27, 2013, 08:21:53 AM: Toss that on top of spaghetti noodles, and we're in business. ;D
Title: Re: Dutch oven chili
Post by: ACW3 on October 27, 2013, 09:03:51 AM: It's not as "wintery" here as in Idaho, but you have me thinking about breaking out some elk meat to make my version of chili. I like what you did with yours.

Art
Title: Re: Dutch oven chili
Post by: RAD on October 27, 2013, 09:29:34 AM: That is a real good looking chili.
Title: Dutch oven chili
Post by: Pappymn on October 27, 2013, 09:46:50 AM: Overnight soak for me too. Chili looks just killer
Title: Re: Dutch oven chili
Post by: veryolddog on October 27, 2013, 09:53:08 AM: Very nicely done!

Ed
Title: Re: Dutch oven chili
Post by: muebe on October 27, 2013, 10:00:11 AM: pz the chili looks great!

I would not be upset at all that the beans did not turn out right. That is just a sign that the chili gods are telling you they don't belong in there ;)
Title: Re: Dutch oven chili
Post by: teesquare on October 27, 2013, 10:16:39 AM: Quote from: Ka Honu on October 27, 2013, 04:09:19 AM
pz - Excellent process - the only way to make chili (except, of course, for the beans).

OBTW, thanks to all of you who posted above me for making such great arguments for cooking beans separately and serving them alongside the chili. You know... the way it's supposed to be.

I think we understand your avatar even more....Is a turtle's head as hard as his shell too? :D
Title: Re: Dutch oven chili
Post by: happyappy on October 27, 2013, 03:56:21 PM: That is some awesome looking chili! And for me, chili always has beans unless it's on a hot dog! :)
Title: Re: Dutch oven chili
Post by: pz on October 27, 2013, 07:14:56 PM: Thanks for the comments! I knew the "beans" opinions would rise again ;D

Quote from: muebe on October 27, 2013, 10:00:11 AM
I would not be upset at all that the beans did not turn out right. That is just a sign that the chili gods are telling you they don't belong in there ;)

lol muebe, you might just have a point there - whenever I follow general stove top beans recipes, they are always on the firm side. However, every time I use the pressure cooker, they take an hour and are butter tender

Quote from: Ka Honu on October 27, 2013, 04:09:19 AM
pz - Excellent process - the only way to make chili (except, of course, for the beans).

OBTW, thanks to all of you who posted above me for making such great arguments for cooking beans separately and serving them alongside the chili. You know... the way it's supposed to be.

Although I've always been a fan of beans in my chili, today was an exception - we used the leftovers to make street tacos - would have been nice to have the meat and beans separate
Title: Re: Dutch oven chili
Post by: Keymaster on October 27, 2013, 07:24:25 PM: Looks like a delicious bowl of Idaho Chili ;) We put beans in our chili too :)
Title: Dutch oven chili
Post by: Chili Head on November 07, 2013, 03:06:27 PM: Awesome looking chili!
I'll be trying your techniques next time I make some.