Chili

Originating largely among the working class Tejana and the Mexican women for a healthy one pot meal

in Northern Mexico and Southern Texas, chili was a staple to those in that region. I personally can relate this to our very own Pav Bhaji which again was a working class food that originated in Bombay, India, where the clothes mill workers needed a healthy meal option that was filling and nutritious. ( I’ll share the recipe of Pav Bhaji in my future Blog)

But today I’ll show you how something as simple as meat and beans can fill a whole family!

Ingredients

1pound of beef I took 80/20 ratio of meat to fat content

1 can brown bean

1 can black bean

1 green bell pepper ( any pepper of you choice or a blend of them)

2 medium white onions

2 canned tomatoes

(I took one smoked and 1 regular diced can tomato)

4/5 fresh crushed garlic

4/5 tablespoon tobasco sauce

3/4 tablespoon olive oil

salt to taste.

SPICE BLEND

1 tablespoon coriander

2 tablespoons cumin

1 teaspoon cinnamon powder

2 tablespoon dry oregano

1 teaspoon brown sugar

2 tablespoon crushed chili flakes

METHOD

In a large pot add oil and the meat until it start to brown a lil bit. Meanwhile chop onions and garlic and add when theeat has started to caramelize.

Allow the onions to sweat. To this add roughly chopped green peppers along with the spice blend.

Mix throughly until the spices has coated the meat and the veggies well. Cook uncovered for about 10 minute. To this add canned tomatoes and beans. Put the lid in and cook for another 15 mins until the tomatoes and the beans have softened.

Check for spices you may had an double bath of spice blend if you desire at this point. Otherwise check for salt and add the tobasco sauce, for some zing in flavor.

Now you may add 3/4 cups of water or any stock and put the lid on and cook an a medium low flame for 1/2 hour. It should be thick and not soupy. Using the back of the spoon mush few of the bean as this helps in thickening the sauce.

When ready to serve:

Dollop with some cold sour cream with chopped scallions, cilantro, jalepeno peppers. Cheddar cheese is a good compliment too, with some crushed Doritos or any corn tortillas.