Chili

Instant Pot Steak Chili
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Instant Pot Steak Chili

Like most I cook pretty much the same things over and over with small changes here and there. I was in a rut, sort of and wanted something different. I had some wholefoods stew meat in the freezer and had recently cooked one of my instant pot favorites Thicker Instant Pot Chili so beef stew was not on my list. I remembered the Texas chili I made and said maybe I’ll make a variation of that. I looked at some recipes for ideas and went to work.

 

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INGREDIENTS:

  • 1 1/3 pounds stew meat, diced into ½ to 3/4-inch cubes – I had a little over 1 pound
  • Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • 1 red onion, diced
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • Big spoon full of sliced jalapeños for the jar, then minced
  • 1 (14.5-ounce) can diced tomatoes
  • About a cup of Lyn’s pasta sauce – got to use what’s on hand. (subbed for tomato sauce)
  • 2 tablespoons chili powder
  • 1 (15-ounce) cans kidney beans, drained and rinsed
  • Shredded Monterey Jack cheese, for serving
  • Sour Cream, for serving
  • Chopped Avocado, for serving

 

DIRECTIONS:

  • Season stew meat with salt and pepper, to taste.
  • Let sit for about 10-15 minute
  • Pat dry with paper towel
  • Heat olive oil In Instant pot on sauté
  • Add stew meat and sear until browned, about 2 -4 minutes. Add onion, garlic and jalapeno, and cook until fragrant, about 1-2 minutes. Stir in diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, chili powder, kidney beans and 1 to 1 ½ cups water.
  • Seal the instant pot and choose Chili button set for  30 minutes
  • Let natural release

Serve with shredded Monterrey Jack cheese, a dollop of sour cream and avocado maybe corn bread or chips, if desired.

I only had some left over Garlic toast and you got to use what you have, Mike, my son came over to do his taxes and laundry he did not mind at all.

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It’s hard to say where the heat came from but I might try less chili powder or jalapeños next time. Mike likes it hot said it was really good. I would like to make it a little thicker just my tastes.

Thicker Instant Pot Chili
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Thicker Instant Pot Chili

Thicker Instant Pot Chili

I’ve been craving chili recently but did not want to take all day so I decided that I would do it in the instant pot. I’ve tried this before but they seem to come out soupy than what my mind’s eye wants.

I wanted something that was thick and full of flavor. I had a pound of hamburger in the freezer and my pantry was stock so what the hell.

 

Ingredients

  • lb ground meat
  • 16oz tomato sauce
  • Small to medium size onion roughly diced
  • Pinto Beans
  • Tablespoon chili powder
  • teaspoon granulated garlic or garlic powder
  • teaspoon smoked paprika
  • ½ heaping teaspoon cumin, I like this stuff
  • Salt and Pepper to taste
  • ½ Small Red pepper roughly chop or more your choice

Garnish

  • Freshly ground cheddar
  • Thinly slices scallion

Turn the instant pot to sauté and add maybe a teaspoon of oil. Add ground beef and brown. Depending on the % you may want to drain the pot after browning. My frozen was 90% sirloin so no draining was needed. Add the rest of the ingredient and mix thoroughly.

Put cover the cover on and turn to no venting then turn the instant pot to manual and 10 minutes. When it is done turn off and let naturally depressurize.  I then turned back to sauté add the red pepper, stirring constantly and when it came to a boil turn it off.  It is essentially done just taste for spices shovel out a serving and top with cheese and scallions.

Good for a bowl or a burrito or a taco.

 

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Texas Style Chili

We recently got back from a trip celebrating our 30 anniversary, had a great time twirling, sipping and spitting wines from Napa to Sonoma. we were befriended by two great ladies, sister in laws,  one was I believe 76 and the other 87 and a hot shit. Phyllis was from Texas and on one excursion we were tasting some local chili and she mumbled beans we don’t put beans in chili in Texas.  Well my wife was inspired and it was not long, this last weekend that I was confronted with another do you think you can make this. The first thing I noticed was brisket and I was sold, I love brisket and have a lot of different recipes take a look at them if you have a chance. I actually just had some for lunch, I love the way the different heats from the chilies come out as you eat.

Ingredients

Ingredients

  • 3 pounds flat-cut beef brisket, trimmed and cut into 1-inch cubes (I really trimmed most of the fat off the brisket)
  • 1 pound beef stew meat
  • 2 teaspoons freshly ground black pepper, divided
  • 1 3/4 teaspoons kosher salt, divided
  • 5 teaspoons canola oil, divided
  • 4 cups chopped yellow onion
  • 2 tablespoons dried oregano
  • 1 1/2 tablespoons paprika
  • 1 tablespoon chili powder
  • 1 tablespoon ancho chile powder
  • 1 tablespoon ground cumin
  • 6 garlic cloves, finely chopped
  • 2 dried bay leaves
  • 1 dried ancho chile, seeded
  • 1 (6-ounce) can unsalted tomato paste
  • 4 1/2 cups water, divided
  • 1 (12-ounce) lager beer (such as Shiner)
  • 5 tablespoons masa harina
  • 2 teaspoons hot sauce (such as Tabasco)
  • 1/2 cup chopped green onions

Preparation

1. Sprinkle beef with 1 teaspoon pepper and 1 teaspoon salt. Heat a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add 1 teaspoon oil to pan; swirl to coat. Add one-quarter of beef to pan; sauté 3 minutes or until well browned on all sides. Remove beef from pan. Repeat procedure 3 times with 3 teaspoons oil and remaining beef.

brown

2. Add remaining 1 teaspoon oil to pan; swirl to coat. Add onion and next 8 ingredients (through dried chile); sauté 3 minutes. Stir in remaining 1 teaspoon black pepper, remaining 3/4 teaspoon salt, and tomato paste; cook 1 minute, stirring constantly. Stir in 4 cups water and beer; bring to a simmer.

combine bring to simmer cover

Reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and cook 2 hours or until beef is very tender. Combine remaining 1/2 cup water and masa in a small bowl, stirring with a whisk until smooth. Add masa mixture and hot sauce to pan; cook 3 minutes or until slightly thickened. Discard dried ancho chile and bay leaves. Sprinkle with green onions.

seerve

Bacon, Lettuce, Tomato and Jerod Mayo Sandwich
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Bacon, Lettuce, Tomato and Jerod Mayo Sandwich

Jerod Mayo was drafted by the New England Patriots in the first round (10th overall) of the 2008 NFL Draft … Signed by the Patriots (7/24/08). This Thursday we play the Jets again we need him to play as he did the first meeting with I believe 11 Tackles – 10 Solo and 1 Assist and caused 1 fumble. He hits often and hard, maybe too hard sometimes. Here is a sandwich that hits you hard in a good way. This came from Scup’s In the Harbor the restaurant my sister and her husband used to own and operate in east boston, now they live on the opposites coast in Washington state but still root for the patriots. We even Skype some of the games for them if not on national TV. They are still keeping some stuff a secret so I had to wing it, gee my own sister go figure. Kind of like your Mom a little of this and handful of that.

 

Oh if you want a Thanksgiving Day recipe try my Buttermilk Marinated Turkey but marinated at least 8 hours or overnight turning once start breast side up.

 

Ok It’s half time let’s eat!

Bacon, Lettuce, Tomato and Jerod Mayo Sandwich

Ingredients

  • 2 slices of Grilled Italian Bread
  • Romaine lettuce
  • Oven roasted cherry or grape tomatoes sliced in half length wise. (Roast at 450 for about 10-15 minutes) – You do not have to roast them if you do not want to or just can’t wait.
  • Crispy Smoked apple wood “thick” bacon
  • Sliced cheddar (optional)

Basil Mayo ( this is my recipe not theirs, secrets you know)

  • Whisk all ingredients together
  • 1 cup good mayonnaise
  • 10 to 15 basil leaves, chopped
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon freshly squeezed lemon juice
  • 1 tablespoon good olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon minced garlic

Serve:

Make sandwiches cut in half and stake on platter or serve all ingredients on a platter and have a build your own sandwich.

The Ultimate BLT

 

 

Wendy says: I Hope Mr. Mayo enjoys his namesake sandwich.

 

Alternative sauce chili-mayonnaise

 

nepatriotslife life Mayo mentions

Video: Mayo goes down with shoulder injury.

Video: Jerod Mayo hates Tom Curran from CSNNE

Revitalizing The Dynasty Defense

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Boston Magazine 8-2009

Scup's in the Harbor

We admit it’s tough to make a bad BLT (there is bacon in there, after all). But it’s a genuine challenge to ace every element—crisp strips of meat, sweetly ripe tomato, lettuce with just the right crunch—and elevate this humble sandwich to warm-weather classic. Scup’s in the harbor rises to the occasion with cherry wood–smoked bacon and roasted cherry tomatoes nestled on red leaf lettuce. Sliced cheddar and a spot of pesto mayo add zing and texture without overpowering the key players, and sturdy slices of toasted wheat keep hands clean and flavor at the fore. Boston Magazine 8-2009

 

Mimi Chili
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Mimi Chili

Every once in a while I come home from work and there is a package sitting there beside the garage door with the return address of Maine on it. A smile grows across my face I know that it is a special treat from Lyn’s sister, Mimi. This time is was chili packed with just the right amount of freezer bags keeping it a perfect temp and ready to heat up. I asked her for the recipe and as she says it kind of hard I just sort of throw it together but here ya go! So I give you a totally buildable recipe that I know I have enjoyed for years. What about some of that spinage bread?? Take some pictures while you make it and I’ll post with your permission ofcourse.

 Ingredients

  • 1 lb to 1 1/2 lb. Hamburg
  • 1 big can Cento Crushed tomato
  • 1 big can Hunt’s Sauce
  • 1 can Stewarts shelled beans
  • 1 can Bush’s black beans
  • 1 can Bush’s dark red kidney bean
  • 1 bag frozen diced green peppers
  • 1 can Hunt’s tomato paste
  • Frozen corn
  • 1/2 bag frozen diced onions
  • Old El Paso Chili mix
  • Weber’s Grill Master’s Hamburg seasoning to taste
  • cumin
  • chili powder
  • onion powder
  • garlic powder
  • basil
  • cilantro
  • salt & pepper

How

Heat in pan, add Old El Paso Chili mix, spice with cumin, chili powder, onion & garlic power, basil, cilantro salt & pepper to taste. 1 can Stewarts shelled beans, 1 can Bush’s black beans, 1 can Bush’s dark red kidney beans. In frying pan brown hamburg, season with salt & Weber’s Grill Master’s Hamburg seasoning to taste. Strain and add to chili pot. Add 1 can Hunt’s tomato paste to chili w/ little water if chili too thick. Add some corn to it if you like, as always season to taste with spices & hot sauce.

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Cumin

An aromatic spice with a distinctive bitter flavor and strong, warm aroma due to its abundant oil content. Cumin “seeds” are actually the small dried fruit of an annual plant in the parsley family. Native to the Mediterranean, cumin is hotter to the taste, lighter in color, and larger than caraway, another spice it’s sometimes confused with. Sold whole or ground, the seeds come in three colors: amber, white or black. Amber is most widely available, but the black has such a complex flavor it should not be substituted for the other two. Cumin is a popular ingredient in Middle Eastern, Asian, Mediterranean and Mexican cuisines, and is one of the main ingredients in curry powder.

How to store: Store in an airtight container and place in a dry, cool area, away from light. Flavor and aroma can be retained for up to six months.

Matches well with: beans, chicken, couscous, curry, eggplant, fish, lamb, lentils, peas, pork, potatoes, rice, sausages, soups, stews, eggs

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International Night – Makeshift Chili and Quesada

Beet Greens & Fresh Baby Corn In Fiery Red...

We came up with a plan bought a fancy dancy calendar to plot it out.  Frist we were going have each day have a planned meal Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner, there was even spots for snacks I did say fancy dancy did I not. Our theory was that with the week planned out this way we could easily draw up a shopping list. As we looked at it reality began to sink in, I have oatmeal every morning and a salad for lunch the only thing that changes up for me is dinner and maybe breakfast on the weekend. Lyn was in a similar situation so dinners it was. I felt or Lyn felt I felt stifled being held to a specific dish I am a more of a cook from the gut kind of guy, open the cabinets and see what I have.  So we settled for dinner theme of the day Mondays is Sandwich night, Tuesdays leftovers, Wednesdays Vegetarian, Thursday International, Friday breakfast, Saturday is fish except its St. Patrick’s this Saturday so corn beef and Genesis, Sunday – special whatever hits our fancy while shopping.

So let me tell you since we decided this on Sunday night when Thursday came and I panicked on the way home what the heck did I have in the house that would qualify? I got home open both the freezer and frig wide and stared. My eyes caught 2 frozen chopped sirloin burger patties,½ Red bell pepper, onions, some left over tomatoes sauce, cheddar cheeses,  3 whole wheat wraps, baby portabella mushrooms, kale, 1 scallions mmmmmm…..the bell went off in mind Chile and Quesada with some of that left of guacamole Lyn made.   I was not sure how this would come out so I did not measure of take pictures.

I grabbed the patties and semi defrosted in the micro wave, in the meantime I sautéed about a ¼ of a cup of the onions roughly chopped and ¼ of a cup of the red peppers for a few minutes added the meat and broke it into small pieces while browning. When it was browned I added a good double pinch of chili powder, ancho pepper powder, Mexican oregano,  a couple of good shakes of cayenne powder, salt and pepper. Then I added the tomatoes sauce maybe was about a cup and half. Brought to boil and simmer over low it was reduced about half a nice thicker side chili.

While that was simmering I chopped the scallion, 3 mushroom, cilantro and small piece of leftover chicken and shredded the cheddar (divided). I placed all ingredients on ½ of the whole wheat wrap folded and heated up in a nonstick fry pan until the cheese was melted then top with some of the cheddar cover with top to melt the cheese.

I had planned to serve with some of the guacamole but Lyn came home in the meantime and we munched on it with some chips.

I have to say and she will back me up this came out really good that I am kicking myself for not writing it down or taking pictures. Oh well there is always next time.