How to Make Texas Chili
By: elvenrunelordThe history of American chili is steeped in mystery and there are as many variants of the basic recipe as there are cooks that want to try something different. Each version has a little bit more of this spice or a little bit less of another. Another may use small cuts of tender sirloin beef while others may use ground round. You get the picture. Chili is one of those foods that virtually everyone has tried at least once in their life. Chili is a very versatile food because it goes so well with many different foods.
The hardest thing about making chili is waiting for it to cook. Good chili may cook for hours and then needs to be chilled for 24 hours to allow all flavors to blend thoroughly. You can serve chili as a soup, a topping on hamburgers or hotdogs, or as the main course of a meal. No matter what you do with your chili, you should have a good recipe as a foundation to stand on. Here you will find a Texan family recipe that has stood the test of time for at least two generations and maybe more.
Ingredients for Texas Chili
Two and one-half pounds of ground round beef
One-third cup of low-salt chili powder
One large onion
Six large jalapeno peppers
One teaspoon of cayenne pepper
One teaspoon of white pepper
Three cloves of garlic
Four cans of low-salt tomato sauce
One can of low-salt tomatoes
One teaspoon of liquid smoke (Hickory or Mesquite)
Three tablespoons of Worcestershire sauce
One tablespoon of yellow mustard
Directions for Texas Chili
1. Cook your ground round beef along with the liquid smoke in a frying pan and drain off the resulting grease.
2. While your beef is cooking, chop your onion and garlic and toss in a large pot.
3. Deseed and chop your jalapeno peppers and toss them the pot as well.
4. Add the tomato sauce and tomatoes to the pot.
5. Pour your cook ground beef into the pot.
6. Add your cayenne & white pepper, chili powder, mustard, and Worcestershire sauce to the pot and cover all of this with water.
7. Cook the pot of Texas Chili for at least two hours on medium-low refilling the water as needed.
8. Take the pot off the heat and allow cooling to room temperature before placing in the refrigerator overnight.
9. Reheat the next day when ready to serve.
Serving Suggestions for Texas Chili
1. Texas Chili can be served as a spicy chili topping for hamburgers or hotdogs just remember to provide plenty of liquids for your guests.
2. Serve in a large bowl topped with cheddar or provolone cheese and diced onions. Add some garlic bread and vegetable for a complete meal.
3. Chili is very versatile so use your imagination.
4. Leftover chili can be frozen and used up to three months later.