Schmidt's Super Awesome Chili

Like many of you, I believe soups, stews and chili are one of the perks of fall and winter.  And today, as the rain fell for the first time in months, and with my pumpkin spice candle lit, all I could think about was warm drinks, meals, baking...

and curling up on the couch to read. 

But now, let's talk chili.  Oh, boy.  There's chili and then there's chili!

Sure, there's canned chili, boxed chili, throw-yourself-together-an-almost-chili, so on and so on.  Then there's chili that'll knock your socks off and you'll never go back.  

Why would you?

Let's talk details.

Schmidt's Super Awesome Chili 

Throw a party; it's that good.

 Side note: This recipe came to me after a night out in Portland with the girls, and it was the best late-night meal, a girl could stumble upon.  My friend, Shannon and her Husband have given me kind permission to pass along their recipe.  Thus, the recipe has taken on a surname. 

And trust me, the "Super Awesome" bit is for real.

Serves 6

Ingredients:

2 teaspoons of oil (or whatever to cover the bottom of your pot)

2 onions, chopped

3 cloves garlic, minced

1- 1 1/4 lb. lean ground beef or turkey

1 (14 1/2 oz.) can diced tomatoes

1 can dark beer

1 cup strong coffee

2 (6 oz.) cans tomato paste

1 can beef broth

1/2 C. brown sugar

3 1/2 tsp. chili sauce (I used 1 tsp. and it was spicy.  Careful with this stuff!)

1 Tbsp. cumin

1 Tbsp. cocoa

1 tsp. oregano

1 tsp. cayenne pepper

1 tsp. coriander

1 tsp. salt

4 (15 oz.) cans kidney beans

1 chili pepper, chopped (I omitted for the little ones)

Directions:

1.  Heat oil.

2.  Cook onions, garlic and meat until brown.

3.  Add tomatoes, beer, coffee, tomato paste and beef broth.

4.  Add spices, stir in 2 cans of kidney beans and pepper.

5.  Reduce heat and simmer for 1 1/2 hours.

6.  Add 2 remaining cans of kidney beans and simmer for another 30 minutes.

A few of my notes:

• It will be soupier than the picture shows (these photos were taken on day 2).
• Follow the directions.
• Let it simmer for the full two hours.  It'll meld the flavors deliciously.
• Top with cheese and sour cream/Greek yogurt and cilantro if your heart desires.
• Serve with your tastiest cornbread/corn muffin recipe.
• Enjoy!