"Holy Grail Chili", wish to build own brick oven

Posted by Oliviera (130.131.02.130)

Ingredients:
· 5 lb. - 2.25Kg bottom round roast
· 2 can plum tomatoes (35 oz - 1 liter)
· 2 medium onions
· 1 bell peppers
· 2 stalks celery
· 7 cloves of garlic
· 3 Tbs ancho powder
· 1 Tbs chipolte powder
· 3 Tbs cumin
· 1 Tbs salt
· 1 Tbs black pepper
· 1 Tbs mexican oregano
· olive oil as needed

PREPARATION:
Carve the roast across the grain into 12mm - 1/2" thick slabs, and then further into 12mm - 1/2" strips. Set these aside and prep the rest of the vegetables. Rough dice the vegetables and place in a bowl.

Prepare a stewpot (6 qt+ - 6 liters+) over low heat with a little olive oil and all the spices in the bottom.

In a heavy skillet over unrelentingly high heat, sear the meat by placing only enough meat in the pan to brown without losing temperature (about two small handfuls). It is important that the meat sear quickly. If you see more than a tablespoon or two of juice collecting in the pan, too much meat has been added (or the flame is too low).

As the meat is browned, transfer to the stewpot and stir with the dry spices. In between loads of meat, allow the juices to reduce and thicken. Be sure to use a little olive oil during the searing.

When all the meat has been browned and transferred to the stewpot, add a little more olive oil to the pan and toss in the diced vegetables (onions, bell pepper, celery and garlic. Cook these until softened and translucent and transfer to the stewpot.

Add the tomatoes and anything else left over (there shouldn't be anything else left over) into the stewpot. Bring it to a boil and then place into 177°C - 350°F degrees oven for 4-5 hours.

SERVING:
Serve with crumbled Stilton and sour cream, with some rice on the side.

(updated 29/12/04 - after years and years of personal research and last year experience in friend's wood burning brick oven)

"Holy Grail Chili", wish to build own brick oven. Pictures.