About the Chipotle Pepper
The chipotle pepper is a dried jalapeño pepper that has turned red. Jalapeños are left on the vine until late in the growing season. They are sometimes buried in the ground in order to delay harvest and ensure a rich flavour. Once they are harvested, the peppers are put in a smoking chamber and penetrated with wood smoke for several days. The result is a wonderful blend of heat and smoke called the chipotle.
Chipotle Chili
The following recipe was created when chipotle peppers were found in the kitchen at the same time as a home-made bean mixture (that can be replaced with kidney and black beans). Ground beef, tomatoes and a few other ingredients were added and voilà!
Chipotle Chili is a simple recipe that can be made on the stove or cooked in the oven or slow-cooker. The chipotle provides a rich spice that, when used in moderation, is not offensive or overpowering.
Ingredients
- 2 lbs. ground beef
- 2 tsp. onion powder
- 1 - 14 oz. can of kidney beans
- 1 -14 oz. can of black beans
- 1 - 10 oz. can of tomato soup
- 1 - 28 oz. can of tomatoes (preferably diced, but whole tomatoes can be broken up and used)
- 1 - 3 canned chipotle peppers (depending on the heat desired)
Process
- Cook the ground beef mixed with onion powder in a large pan. Break the ground beef into small chunks as it cooks. When the meat is no longer pink, drain the grease from it and transfer it into a large pot.
- Pour the beans into a colander and run water over them. Add them to the meat. Add the tomato soup and the tomatoes as well, and stir the mixture with a large spatula or spoon.
- Cut the chipotle peppers into small pieces and add them and a bit of sauce from the canned peppers. Stir the mixture well. Bring to a slow boil.
- Stir and simmer covered at a low temperature for at least 30 minutes.
- The chili can be turned into a casserole dish and kept warm in a low oven or left on the stove top at a very low temperature for several hours provided that there is enough liquid in the pot. Stir well from time to time. Add tomato or a V8-type juice if more liquid is required.
- Chipotle Chili can also be cooked in a slow-cooker for 4 hours on high or 6-8 hours on low.
Serving Suggestions
- Fill the base of a bowl with cooked white rice, spoon on the Chipotle Chili and sprinkle with cheddar cheese.
- Bake a potato, slice in half and spoon on the Chipotle Chili. Add a dollop of sour cream and sprinkle chopped green onions on top.
- Sprinkle Cheddar Cheese over tortilla chips. Heat in the oven or microwave to melt the cheese. Scoop up the Chipotle Chili with the tortillas.
- Serve Chipotle Chili in a bowl with corn bread, baking powder biscuits or whole wheat bagels on the side.
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