[CH] Chili Beenz (wuz: Texas Chili)
John Benz Fentner, Jr. (johnfentner@comcast.net)
Sat, 15 Sep 2007 23:06:39 -0400
Chili Beenz
These are the beenz that you didn't put in your chili to keep the Texans
happy.
1 pound dry Pinto Beans
1/2 pound Bacon, chopped coarse
4 cans Rotel Chopped Tomatoes with Green Chiles.
1 Large White Onion, chopped coarse
2 tsp Garlic powder
2 tsp Chile powder
1 tsp Salt
1/2 tsp Br'er Jims Chipotle Powder
Prepare dry beans: Pick out the rocks, rinse, cover with a couple inches
of water, bring to boil, turn off heat, cover and let sit over night.
Next morning, drain & rinse.
In your (large, heavy) chili pot sauté the bacon until all fat is
rendered and bacon bits are slightly browned.
Add the beans, onion, tomatoes and spices (except the salt, see note
below). Mix well, cover and cook over LOW heat until beans are tender
(at least a couple of hours).
They are good at this point, better if you can let them sit in the
fridge overnight. (They also freeze well so don't be afraid to make a
big batch.)
Serve with a dollop of Sour Cream on top.
Notes:
1. When you first assemble it, it will look like there is insufficient
liquid. Avoid the temptation to add more. Cook covered over low heat and
there is plenty. Never add water. If you must add liquid, use a little
more Rotel tomatoes.
2. Leave the salt to the end. It will make the beans tough if you add it
early and, if your bacon is salty you may not need it at all.
3. Rotel Tomatoes are important. There are alternative brands but none
that I tried worked as well. (You can get 'em at Wal-Mart for half what
they charge at the grocery store).
4. As above, this dish has a slight tingle of heat and is suitable for
small children, Norwegian NoDaks and Noo Englund Yankees. If you can
find them, you can substitute 1, 2, 3 or 4 cans of Rotel Chopped
Tomatoes with Habaneros. Four cans will make yo momma weep. Or you can
add 1 tsp of Br'er Jim's Red Savina Powder (or more to get your
preferred level of heat).
Healthy alternative: Substitute an equivalent amount of olive oil and
lean ham or pork for the bacon. Increase the Chipotle Powder to 1 tsp.
Serve with fat free sour cream.
JBF
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John Benz Fentner, Jr.
Unionville, Connecticut., USA
Lex Non Favet Delicatorum Votis
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