Beef Chili With Ancho, Mole, And Cumin

Serves: 4

Carole Volkman

1 January 1970

Based on User reviews:

45

Spice

48

Sweetness

45

Sourness

43

mins

Prep time (avg)

4.8

Difficulty

Ingredients:

1 tbsp

Cumin Seed

Directions:

1

For chili: Toast cumin seeds in heavy small skillet over medium heat until fragrant, stirring often, 4 to 5 minutes

2

Cool; grind finely in spice mill or in mortar with pestle

3

Sauté bacon in large pot over medium-high heat until brown and crisp

4

Using slotted spoon, transfer bacon to large bowl

5

Sprinkle beef with salt and pepper

6

Working in 4 batches, sauté beef in drippings in pot until browned, about 5 minutes per batch

7

Transfer beef and most drippings to bowl with bacon

8

Add onion and garlic to pot

9

Sauté until onion begins to brown, about 5 minutes

10

Add 1/2 cup broth to pot

11

Bring to boil, scraping up browned bits

12

Return beef, bacon, and any accumulated juices to pot

13

Mix in ancho chile powder, Texas-style chili powder, mole paste, 2 teaspoons salt, vinegar, oregano, and cumin seeds

14

Add 3 cups broth; bring to boil

15

Reduce heat to very low and simmer gently uncovered until beef is very tender, stirring occasionally and adding more broth by 1/2 cupfuls if chili is dry, about 2 1/2 hours

16

Mix in masa by teaspoonfuls to thicken chili or add more broth by 1/4 cupfuls to thin

17

Season chili with salt, pepper, and cayenne, if desired

18

DO AHEAD: Can be made 3 days ahead

19

Cool 1 hour

20

Chill uncovered until cold, then cover and keep chilled

21

Rewarm over low heat

22

Toast cumin seeds in heavy small skillet over medium heat until fragrant, stirring often, 4 to 5 minutes

23

Cool; grind finely in spice mill or in mortar with pestle

24

Sauté bacon in large pot over medium-high heat until brown and crisp

25

Using slotted spoon, transfer bacon to large bowl

26

Sprinkle beef with salt and pepper

27

Working in 4 batches, sauté beef in drippings in pot until browned, about 5 minutes per batch

28

Transfer beef and most drippings to bowl with bacon

29

Add onion and garlic to pot

30

Sauté until onion begins to brown, about 5 minutes

31

Add 1/2 cup broth to pot

32

Bring to boil, scraping up browned bits

33

Return beef, bacon, and any accumulated juices to pot

34

Mix in ancho chile powder, Texas-style chili powder, mole paste, 2 teaspoons salt, vinegar, oregano, and cumin seeds

35

Add 3 cups broth; bring to boil

36

Reduce heat to very low and simmer gently uncovered until beef is very tender, stirring occasionally and adding more broth by 1/2 cupfuls if chili is dry, about 2 1/2 hours

37

Mix in masa by teaspoonfuls to thicken chili or add more broth by 1/4 cupfuls to thin

38

Season chili with salt, pepper, and cayenne, if desired

39

DO AHEAD: Can be made 3 days ahead

40

Cool 1 hour

41

Chill uncovered until cold, then cover and keep chilled

42

Rewarm over low heat

43

For garnishes: Set out garnishes as desired

44

Ladle chili into bowls and serve

45

Set out garnishes as desired

46

Ladle chili into bowls and serve

47

*Available in the spice section of many supermarkets and at Latin markets

48

**Available in the Latin foods section of most supermarkets and at Latin markets

49

***Also known as masa harina; available at many supermarkets and at Latin markets

50

*Available in the spice section of many supermarkets and at Latin markets

51

**Available in the Latin foods section of most supermarkets and at Latin markets

52

***Also known as masa harina; available at many supermarkets and at Latin markets