Dad's Spicy Chili
User Reviews
4.7
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Servings
16 servings-it makes a big pot of chili
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Course
Main Course, Soup, Snacks
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Cuisine
American
Dad's Spicy Chili
Description
This chili recipe starts by soaking red beans overnight, which are then boiled with diced onion, bay leaves, and salt until soft. Meanwhile, Italian sausage is browned and combined with a sauce made from canned tomatoes, tomato sauce, and tomato paste, seasoned with chili powder, cumin, and a hint of brown sugar to balance heat and acidity. Jalapeños add a mild spicy kick.
After simmering the sauce and meat mixture briefly, it is added to the tender beans and cooked further for the flavors to blend. The result is a thick, robust chili with a balance of savory, spicy, and slightly sweet notes, with a texture featuring soft beans and savory meat pieces.
This chili is typically enjoyed warm and complemented with toppings such as cheese, crackers, green onion, sour cream, or even butter. Cornbread is a classic accompaniment, providing a mild, slightly sweet counterpoint to the spicy chili. Adjust seasoning as desired for preferred spice levels or flavors.
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 bags 24 ounces of dry small red beans
- 2 lbs. Italian sausage or 1 lb. Italian sausage and 1 lb. ground hamburger
- 1 onion diced, large
- 6 bay leaf
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2 diced tomatoes 28 oz cans
- 1 tomato sauce 16 oz can
- 1 tomato paste 6 oz can
- 3 tablespoons chili powder
- 3 tablespoons cumin ground
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon crushed red pepper
- 1/3 cup jalapeño drained (they are in a jar, sliced, tamed
Instructions
- Soak beans in large pot overnight. When ready to cook the chili, add the diced onion, bay leaves and salt to the beans and boil until the beans are soft. Pour out excess water until the water and bean levels are the same.
- Brown the meat in a large skillet. In a separate large pan, make the sauce. Add tomatoes, tomato sauce, tomato paste, chili powder, cumin, sugar, black pepper, red pepper, and jalapeños. Simmer for 15 minutes.
- Add meat and sauce to the pot of beans and simmer for 30 minutes. Serve chili warm.
- Note-you can adjust the seasonings to your likings. My dad likes it spicy! Also feel free to add your favorite chili toppings-cheese, crackers, green onion, sour cream, or butter-like my dad:) It is also great with cornbread.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
4.7
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