MC's Jailhouse Chilli

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Discussion

DocArbathnot

Original Poster:

26,998 posts

183 months

Friday 17th May 2013
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Just made this. Ready to go nom nom nom.

yum (Mrs Doc has had a taste likes it too)

6th Gear

3,562 posts

194 months

Saturday 18th May 2013
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Damn good isn't it!

I bought the book on MC's recommendation.

A worthy investment.


zygalski

7,759 posts

145 months

Saturday 18th May 2013
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It's even better if you chuck in a couple of browned slices of beef shin for 4 hours & then flake into small chunks when finished.

DocArbathnot

Original Poster:

26,998 posts

183 months

Saturday 18th May 2013
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I put a bayleaf in smile (It may have ruined it though)

zygalski

7,759 posts

145 months

Saturday 18th May 2013
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Jailhouse Chili

2 large onions, diced
6 cloves garlic, finely chopped
6 tbs olive oil
3 tbs chili powder
5 red jalapeños, finely chopped
1kg minced beef, 20% fat
500g stewing steak, cubed
6 rashers streaky bacon, diced and fried
2 tbs ground cumin
2 tbs oregano
1 tbs cayenne
1 tbs turmeric
500ml dark beer
500ml beef stock
3 x 400g cans chopped tomatoes
2 tsp garlic salt


In a large frying pan, saute onion and garlic in olive oil. After a few minutes add half the chili powder and half the diced jalapeños. Cook for a further 5 minutes. Add the onion mixture to a large casserole, leaving the oil in the pan.

In a mixing bowl, combine mince, chuck steak, fried bacon, the rest of the jalapeños and half the cumin, oregano, cayenne and turmeric. Mix well.

Brown the meat in 3 or 4 large clumps in the onion pan until brown on the outside. Don't worry about it not being cooked in the middle. Add this to the casserole.

Add the tomatoes, beef stock, half the beer and the second half of the cumin, oregano, cayenne and turmeric to the casserole.

Simmer on a very low heat for 1 hour.

Add second half of chili powder, the garlic salt and the rest of the beer. Simmer on a very low heat for another hour (or more) until the beef is cooked.

Serves 6 - 8.

zygalski

7,759 posts

145 months

Saturday 18th May 2013
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Cut the liquids in half, or use 2/3 at most, otherwise the above recipe is a bit too soupy.

Minemapper

933 posts

156 months

Sunday 19th May 2013
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Got a big pot of this bubbling away at the mo. Kitchen smells amazing!

Mobile Chicane

20,807 posts

212 months

Sunday 19th May 2013
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It is a great recipe.

The secret is in the spicing, even though you might be thinking "WTF? Turmeric in chilli?"

I often apply the spice mix to a 'poverty spec' version, which uses celery, white onion and green peppers as the base of a chunky sauce:

Sweat off equal amounts of these in oil in a heavy-based pan with the garlic and jalapenos above. Add two cans of tomatoes, a can of kidney beans (or any beans) and blend with a hand blender. Add the spices and simmer on a low heat until the oil rises to the top of the sauce, stirring occasionally so that it doesn't stick.

This is your chilli base to either go the 'meaty route' with browned mince and bacon; or the 'veggie route' with more beans. Try a mix of butter beans and red kidney beans, with dark mushrooms for flavour.

skibum

1,032 posts

237 months

Monday 20th May 2013
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Out of interest, what was the book that this recipe came from?

Minemapper

933 posts

156 months

Monday 20th May 2013
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It was pretty good last night, served over some spicy black beans and rice. Today will be the real test though. Roll on lunchtime!

22s

6,338 posts

216 months

Monday 20th May 2013
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skibum said:
Out of interest, what was the book that this recipe came from?
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Kennys-Cajun-Creole-Cookbook-Kenny-Miller/dp/1853752126/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top/276-1753702-0304448

skibum

1,032 posts

237 months

Monday 20th May 2013
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Cheers

May hold off as a bit pricey.

Mobile Chicane

20,807 posts

212 months

Monday 20th May 2013
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Prices have rocketed since you lot started buying it!

Even at £25 I'd buy it again, it's that good.

craigjm

17,933 posts

200 months

Monday 20th May 2013
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What beer is recommended?

zygalski

7,759 posts

145 months

Monday 20th May 2013
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I used Old Tom dark ale. Very nice & most supermarkets stock it.

eastsider

1,101 posts

223 months

Tuesday 21st May 2013
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Made this last night for consumption tonight, looks good. Agree cut liquids a bit from the volumes suggested, mine was rather 'soupy' but is thickening nicely whilst sitting. I'll report back on the taste!

V41LEY

2,892 posts

238 months

Tuesday 21st May 2013
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Dark Ale - is Guinness OK or does it have to be ale ?

Edited by V41LEY on Tuesday 4th June 16:18

Sleazy Rider

21 posts

134 months

Tuesday 21st May 2013
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I'd also add a few squares of dark chocolate near the end.

prand

5,913 posts

196 months

Tuesday 21st May 2013
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eastsider said:
Made this last night for consumption tonight, looks good. Agree cut liquids a bit from the volumes suggested, mine was rather 'soupy' but is thickening nicely whilst sitting. I'll report back on the taste!
If you are in a hurry, then you won't have time to simmer the chilli down to the "right" consistency so use less liquid. I'd allow 3hrs minimum for a chilli to cook down, concentrating flavours, either in the oven or on the hob, with a gap in the lid to let steam escape. I remember one recipe saying their chilli benefits from being cooked down to the point of burning in the oven as well - ending up with almost zero liquid. All personal taste, but I think the rule is you cannot rush a chilli!

Stu R

21,410 posts

215 months

Tuesday 21st May 2013
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Mobile Chicane said:
Prices have rocketed since you lot started buying it!

Even at £25 I'd buy it again, it's that good.
yes Picked it up ages ago after you first posted the chili recipe. Buy it while you can folks.

FWIW I paid £3 biggrin