Texas-Style Chili - All Meat, No Beans!

INGREDIENTS

• 3 ancho peppers
• 3 pasilla peppers
• 3 New Mexican dried peppers
• 2.5 pounds beef chuck cut into bite-sized cubes (or other lean meat of your choosing)
• 2 teaspoons cumin
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 medium white onion chopped
• 3 jalapeno peppers chopped
• 2 serrano peppers chopped (optional for extra heat – use extra jalapenos for milder)
• 4 cloves garlic chopped
• 2 cups beef stock or use a dark beer
• 2.5 cups water + more as needed (or use chicken or beef stock, or beer)
• 2 tablespoons masa harina corn flour, for thickening, if desired
• 1 tablespoon brown sugar
• 1 tablespoon Worcestershire

FOR SERVING: Chopped onion, spicy chili flakes, freshly chopped cilantro, lime wedges, crema or sour cream, Fritos or tortilla chips, whatever else you desire

DIRECTIONS

1. Start your chili paste first by lightly toasting the dried peppers in a dry pan about a minute or 2 per side. This will help to release the oils.
2. Remove from heat and cool enough to handle. Remove the stems and pour out the seeds.
3. Soak the peppers in hot water for 20 minutes, or until they are nice and soft.
4. Add them to a food processor with 1 cup of the soaking water and a bit of salt to taste. Process until nice and smooth. Set aside for now.
5. Add the cubed beef to a large bowl and toss with the cumin and a bit of salt and pepper. Make sure everything is nice and coated.
6. Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a large pot and add the seasoned beef. Cook 6-7 minutes, searing the beef all over. Remove the beef and set aside.
7. Add the remaining olive oil along with the jalapenos and onion. Cook them down about 5 minutes.
8. Add the garlic and stir. Cook another minute.
9. Pour in the reserved chili paste and stir. Cook it for 2-3 minutes to let the flavor develop a bit.
10. Stir in the beef broth (or beer), 2 cups of water, brown sugar, Worcestershire, and masa and bring to a quick boil. If you are using the optional additions (see my NOTES above), add them in now.
11. Reduce the heat, cover and simmer for about 2 hours, or until the beef is very tender. It could take longer if you are using tougher cuts of beef (see NOTES above). Give it a stir once every 30 minutes or so. If it becomes too thick, add in a ¼ cup of water and stir.
12. Serve with your favorite fixins!