Chili Californio
(from saymyname’s recipe box)
Source: Main Dish, Beef, Pork, Chili
Serves 10 peopleIngredients
- 2 medium yellow onions, finely chopped
- 2 celery ribs, chopped
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 (14 1/2 ounce) can diced tomatoes, with juices
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 medium red bell peppers or 1 medium green bell pepper, seeded and chopped
- 2 lbs round steaks, trimmed of excess fat and cut into 1/2-inch cubes
- 1 lb pork shoulder, trimmed of excess fat and cut into 1/2-inch cubes
- 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup chili powder
- 1 tablespoon packed brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon cider vinegar or 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
- 2 teaspoons new mexico chile powder or 2 teaspoons california chili powder
- 2 teaspoons dried oregano
- 1 bay leaf
- 1 jalapeno
- 1 cup water
- 1 cup pitted ripe california black olives, drained and chopped
- 1 cup shredded monterey jack cheese
- Garnish:
- chopped red onion
- chopped fresh cilantro
Directions
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Combine half the onions, the celery, garlic, salt, tomatoes, and tomato paste in a slow cooker.
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Cover and cook on HIGH while you prepare the remaining ingredients.
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In a big skillet over med-high heat, heat 2 tablespoons of the oil, then cook the remaining onions and the bell pepper, stirring, until softened, 6-8 minutes; remove from heat.
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Using a handheld immersion blender, partially puree the tomato sauce in the cooker, then add the sauteed vegetables and continue cooking on HIGH.
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In the skillet you just used, brown the beef and pork cubes on all sides in the remaining 1 tablespoon of oil, sprinkling the meat with the flour (you will need to do this in batches).
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Add the cubes of meat to the cooker; add in the chili powder, brown sugar, vinegar, chile powder, oregano, bay leaf, whole jalapeno, and water; stir to combine.
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Cover and cook on LOW for 8-10 hours.
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Taste for salt and remove bay leaf and whole jalapeno; stir in the olives and cheese.
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Serve the chili in bowls; garnish with chopped onions and cilantro.