Chili con carne is a popular dish that comes from Mexico and is loved by spicy food lovers all over the world. It is a delicious combination of meat, beans, tomatoes and various spices, which together create a unique and rich taste. Chili con carne is an extremely versatile dish that can be adapted to your taste with different ingredients and levels of spiciness.
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Choosing the right ingredients
When preparing a great chili con carne recipe, choosing quality ingredients is crucial. The main ingredients you will need are ground beef, red beans, tomatoes, onions, garlic and various spices such as cumin, chili powder, paprika and oregano. In addition to these basic ingredients, you can also add green pepper, corn or even dark chocolate to make the taste even richer and more complex.
Meat is the heart of chili con carne, so it’s important to choose quality ground beef. Although the traditional recipe focuses on beef, you can also use other types of meat such as turkey, chicken or even soy meat for a vegetarian version. It is important to choose fresh and high-quality meat, as this will greatly affect the final taste of the dish. Also, make sure the meat is properly stored and prepared before you start cooking it.
Beans are also an essential part of chili con carne, adding texture and nutrition to the dish. Red beans are the most commonly used, but you can also try other types such as black beans or pinto beans. It is important to wash the beans well beforehand if you are using canned beans, or to boil them if you are using dry beans.
Chili con carne recipe
Ingredients:
- 500 g of ground beef
- 1 large onion, finely chopped
- 3 cloves of garlic, finely chopped
- 1 large green pepper, diced
- 1 can (400 g) of sliced tomatoes
- 2 tablespoons of tomato puree
- 1 can (400 g) red beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 can (300 g) of corn (optional)
- 2 tablespoons of olive oil
- 2 teaspoons of ground cumin
- 2 teaspoons of chili powder (or to taste)
- 1 teaspoon sweet paprika
- 1 teaspoon of dried oregano
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1-2 cups of water or broth (as needed)
- Fresh herbs (coriander or parsley) for decoration
- Sour cream, grated cheese, sliced red onion for serving
Chili con carne preparation procedure:
First prepare all the ingredients. Finely chop the onion and garlic, dice the green pepper and prepare all the spices.
Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chopped onion and garlic and fry until soft and golden brown.
Add ground beef and cook until fully browned. While cooking, stir the meat constantly so that it browns evenly. When the meat is cooked, pour off the excess fat.
Add the cumin, chili powder, paprika, oregano, salt and pepper to the pan and mix well. Cook the spices together with the meat for a few minutes to release their aromas.
Add the sliced green pepper and canned tomatoes along with the tomato puree. Mix everything well.
Add the red beans and corn (if using) and mix well again.
Lower the heat and let the chili con carne simmer for at least an hour. Stir occasionally during cooking and add water or broth as needed to achieve desired texture.
Serve the chili con carne hot, garnished with fresh herbs, sliced red onion, grated cheese and sour cream. Serve it with rice, tortillas or cornbread.
Preparation of the basis
Preparing the chili con carne base is a simple but crucial step in ensuring that your dish is rich and full of flavor. Begin by heating the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add finely chopped onion and garlic and fry until soft and golden brown.
Once the onion and garlic are ready, add the ground beef and cook until fully browned. Be sure to stir the meat constantly during cooking so that it cooks evenly and does not burn. When the meat is cooked, pour off the excess fat so that the dish is not too greasy.
It is important to fry the meat and onions thoroughly, as this helps the flavor develop. The onion and garlic should caramelize slightly, which will add sweetness and depth to the dish. While browning the meat, you can lightly season it with salt and pepper to ensure that the meat is well seasoned from the start.
Adding spices
Spices are what give chili con carne its characteristic flavor and aroma. Add cumin, chili powder, paprika, oregano, salt and pepper to the dish and mix well so that the spices are evenly distributed throughout the meat. If you like a spicier dish, you can add some fresh or dried chilies.
To let the spices release all their aromas, cook them together with the meat for a few minutes before adding the rest of the ingredients. This will allow the flavors to infuse better and be more pronounced in the final product. Use freshly ground spices, as they will be more aromatic and tasty. You can also experiment with other spices such as cayenne pepper, paprika or even cinnamon to create a unique version of chili con carne.
If you wish, you can also add fresh herbs, such as chopped coriander or parsley, which will add freshness and color to the dish. It is important to adjust the spices to your taste and the level of spiciness you want to achieve. Reduce the amount of chili powder and fresh chilies for a milder flavor, and add more for a spicier dish.
Adding vegetables and beans
Once the spices are well mixed with the meat, it’s time to add the tomatoes and vegetables. You can use fresh tomatoes or canned tomato paste depending on your preference. Add chopped green pepper and corn too if you like.
Don’t forget the red beans, which are an important part of chili con carne. You can use canned beans that you rinse under cold water beforehand, or cooked beans if you have them available. Add the beans to the pot and mix everything well.
It is important to cut the vegetables into even pieces so that they cook evenly and add texture and flavor to the dish. The tomatoes will add acidity and sweetness, the peppers will add crunch and freshness, and the corn will add sweetness and color to the dish. If you want, you can also add other types of vegetables, such as carrots, celery or zucchini, to make the dish even more varied and nutritious.
Cooking at a low temperature
After adding all the ingredients, reduce the heat and let the chili con carne slowly cook for at least an hour. Longer cooking at a low temperature will allow the flavors to infuse well and make the dish even tastier.
Stir from time to time during cooking and see if a little more water or broth needs to be added if the dish thickens too much. If you want an even creamier texture, you can add a little dark chocolate at the end of cooking, which will give the dish a special taste and depth.
Service and decorations
Chili con carne is a dish that can be served in many ways. It can be served as a main dish, together with rice, tortillas or cornbread. It is also perfect as a filling for tacos or burritos.
You can use fresh herbs such as coriander or parsley, sliced red onion, grated cheese or sour cream to decorate the dish. These additions will add freshness and even more layers of taste to the dish.
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Chili con carne is a delicious and versatile dish that you can adapt to your tastes and needs. With quality ingredients, the right choice of spices and slow cooking, you will create a dish that will impress all your guests. Experiment with different toppings and adjustments and enjoy this classic Mexican dish.
