Chili con carne

Here’s a classic recipe for making Chili con carne:

Ingredients

• 500 g of ground beef
• 1 large onion, chopped
• 2 cloves of garlic, minced
• 1 red bell pepper, diced
• 400 g of canned peeled tomatoes
• 400 g of canned red beans, drained and rinsed
• 2 tablespoons of tomato paste
• 1 tablespoon of chili powder
• 1 teaspoon of ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon of dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon of paprika
• Chili pepper to taste (optional)
• Salt and black pepper as needed
• Olive oil

Preparation

1. Heat a drizzle of olive oil in a large pot over medium heat.
2. Add the chopped onion and garlic, sautéing until they become translucent.
3. Add the ground meat and cook until it crumbles and is evenly browned.
4. Stir in the diced bell pepper and cook for another 5 minutes.
5. Add the peeled tomatoes, tomato paste, beans, and all the spices including chili, cumin, oregano, paprika, salt, black pepper, and, if you like it spicy, the chili pepper.
6. Bring the mixture to a boil, then lower the heat and let it simmer for about 1 hour, until the chili thickens. If necessary, add a little water during cooking to prevent the bottom from sticking.
7. Taste and adjust the salt and seasoning to your liking.
8. Serve the chili hot, perhaps with some rice, cornbread, tortillas, or simply with a spoonful of sour cream or grated cheese on top.

Curiosity

Chili con carne, literally “chili with meat”, is a well-known dish of Tex-Mex cuisine, a combination of culinary traditions from Texas and Mexico. Over time, numerous states and regions have developed their own variants, some even include pork, turkey, or venison.