Andrew Hooge, CSCS For some reason whenever I finish a tough day on the slopes I crave a big bowl of steaming hot chili and an ice-cold beer. I'm not alone. Whenever I stir up my favorite chili recipe everyone comes running, spoon in one hand, and a beer in the other. Recently a couple of my ski buddies recommended that I post my secret recipe for improving skiing performance…okay maybe it just makes me feel like I ski better. Without further ado, here it is (beer optional). Enjoy!
Makes 8 portions Ingredients: 2 Tbsp. olive oil 2 large yellow onions chopped 2 large green bell peppers chopped 1 large red pepper, chopped 1 cup chopped celery 2-pound top round or bottom round steak, cut into 1/2 inch cubes or smaller. 2 Tbsp. chili powder 1 tsp ground cumin 1/2 tsp. leaf oregano 2 Tbsp chopped fresh garlic 1 can (28 oz.) diced tomatoes 2 Tbsp tomato paste 4 Tbsp Chipotle pepper paste (comes in cans packed in adobo sauce, just puree to a fine paste) 1 cup water or stock Salt and pepper Chopped fresh cilantro Method: 1. Salt and pepper meat and brown in a hot cast iron or heavy bottom pan with olive oil a little at a time, add to crock pot when done. (It does not need to be fully cooked at this point, just browned.) 2. Sautee onions in the same pan (without cleaning) 5 minutes. Add to crock-pot. 3. Sautee peppers (both colors) and add to crock-pot. Add garlic and spices to the pan and sauté about 30 seconds to 1 minute till fragrant 4. Add Chipotle paste and tomato paste and sauté a minute more, and then add some of the water or stock to the pan and stir off any brown bits (fond) from the bottom of the pan. Pour into the crock-pot with the rest of the ingredients. 5. Add celery and can of tomatoes to crock pot with the rest of the water or stock and then turn on high until it comes to a light simmer. Turn down and cook for another 25-30 minutes if using top round. For bottom round cook for 1 1/2 hours total. 6. Add chopped fresh cilantro and garnish with sour cream and chopped red onions if desired. Per portion without rice made with beef top round:
Calories 297 Fat 15g Protein 27g Carbohydrates 14g Dietary Fiber 4g