My dad has this saying that everything is good at the Waffle House except the waffles. It is a big joke in our family, and I feel like this saying is apropos when I go to oyster roasts and say that my favorite thing is the chili. However, since I can’t eat oysters and my dad can eat waffles- maybe not. Anyway, we went to a dinner party the other night and were served the most delicious chili- actually it was bourbon chili which is probably why it was so good. I have not experimented much in the making of chili just in the eating. For instance, I did not even know there was a difference between regular chili and Texas chili (Texas chili doesn’t have beans), nor did I know that you never serve chili on the same day you make it. It needs a day to marinate I guess. Now that the days are getting colder- well not today since it is almost 80 degrees outside, but we have had some cold mornings when I wish I was wearing gloves on my bike ride to work, and chili is the perfect meal on a cold day. Going to the best bourbon source, I found this recipe for Bourbon Chili on the Makers Mark website, and I can’t wait to try it (when it finally does get cold here). This looks delicious!!! And of course, here is a cute picture of Walker from long ago when it was cold.
Bourbon Chili
Ingredients:
1 cup Maker’s Mark® Bourbon
2 pieces dried Ancho chilies
1 piece dried Pasilla chile
2 pieces dried Guajillo chilies
2 pieces dried Chipotle chilies
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
2 pounds boneless beef short ribs
3 cups onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon Mexican oregano
1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
1/4 cup dark brown sugar
1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
1/2 cup masa harina, if desired
Salt and black pepper
Additional Maker’s Mark® Bourbon, if desired
Directions:
Toast the chilies in a large, dry skillet over medium-low heat until lightly charred and fragrant, about 10 minutes. Transfer to a bowl.
Bring 4 cups of water to a boil and pour over the chilies. Weight the chilies down in the water and submerge with a paper towel. Allow the chilies to soften for about 20 minutes in the hot water. Drain the chilies once they are soft, reserving the soaking liquid. If you prefer your chili to be spicy, remove only the stem of the chilies, leaving the seeds intact. If you prefer a milder chili, take the time to open up the softened chili peppers and remove the seeds before adding the peppers to the blender.
Add the softened chili peppers to the blender with 1 cup of Maker’s Mark®. Puree until smooth.
Heat a large skillet or Dutch oven over high heat. Pat the short ribs dry with a paper towel and season them generously with salt and black pepper. Add the tablespoon of oil to the hot pan. Reduce the heat to medium high. Sear the short ribs on all sides until well browned, about 3-4 minutes per side. Remove the short ribs to a plate and pour off the browning liquid and fat into a small bowl. Return the pan to the heat.
Add the chopped onion and minced garlic to the skillet and cook until softened, about 10 minutes, stirring often.
Add the cumin, oregano, thyme, brown sugar, vinegar, browning liquid, chile water and chile puree to the pot. Season with a heavy pinch of salt. Cover with a tight-fitting lid and simmer over low heat until the meat is very tender, about 3 hours, turning the ribs every 30 minutes and adding water as necessary if the braise becomes too dry.
Once the short ribs can break apart with a spoon, remove the ribs from the stew and break the short ribs apart into small chunks using two spoons or forks.
The chili braise in the pot should be the consistency of a thick soup. Reduce over low heat if necessary or add more water to reach desired consistency. Skim any excess fat and oil from the surface of the chili and discard. Stir the pieces of short rib back into the chili braise. Add an extra splash of Maker’s Mark® if you want.
Thicken the stew with masa harina (fine cornmeal makes a great substitute) if you desire: Ladle 2 cups of chili into a bowl and stir in the masa harina. Return the mixture to the pot and stir in with the rest of the chili. Simmer for 15 minutes. Serve the chili hot garnished with chopped scallions, cilantro and/or sour cream.
This looks so good! I don’t know if ican find all of those chillis here, but I’ll try!