Rachael's Daytime Talk Show
Ancho Beef Chili -- 11/07/08

Ancho Beef Chili

Ingredients

  • 1 quart beef stock
  • 4 ancho chilis (dried poblano peppers), seeded
  • 2 tablespoons EVOO – Extra Virgin Olive Oil
  • 1 1/2 pounds ground sirloin
  • 1 red onion, chopped
  • 3 to 4 cloves garlic, finely chopped or grated
  • 1/2 cup raisins, roughly chopped
  • 1 tablespoon (about a palmful) ground cumin
  • 2 teaspoons (about 2/3 of a palmful) ground coriander
  • 1 teaspoon (about 1/3 of a palmful) ground cinnamon
  • Salt and ground black pepper
  • 1/4 cup tomato paste
  • 1/4 cup cilantro leaves
  • 1 ripe avocado
  • 1 cup sour cream
  • Zest and juice of 1 lime
  • 1 1/2 cups shredded pepper jack cheese, for garnish and quesadilla
  • 1/2 poblano pepper (or any mild chili)
  • 2 flour tortillas
  • 1/2 cup toasted pumpkin seeds, for garnish

Yields: 6 servings

Preparation

Step

Place a medium saucepot over medium-high heat with the beef stock and ancho chilies. Bring the liquid to a bubble then reduce heat to medium and simmer for 15 minutes until chilies have softened. Transfer mixture to a blender or food processor and -- very carefully, this mixture is very hot! -- puree it until smooth. Reserve.

Step

While the chilies are simmering, place a large, heavy-bottomed pot over medium-high heat with 2 turns of the pan of EVOO, about 2 tablespoons. Add the sirloin and cook until golden brown, 6-7 minutes. Add the onion, garlic, raisins and spices to the pan, season with salt and pepper, and cook until the veggies are tender, 5-6 minutes. Add the tomato paste to the pan and cook until deep golden brown and aromatic, about 1 minute.

Step

Add the blended stock-chile mixture to the pot and bring the liquids up to a bubble.

Step

While that's working, in a food processor combine the cilantro, avocado, sour cream, lime zest and juice and a splash of water (a couple of tablespoons). Season the mixture with salt and pepper, and puree until smooth.

Preheat a broiler or turn a gas burner on high heat and roast the poblano pepper until it is soft and its skin is charred. Place the roasted pepper in a bowl, cover tightly with plastic wrap, let cool and chop.

Step

Place a large skillet over medium heat. Add 1 tortilla to the pan and cook about 1 minute per side, until it starts to blister. Scatter 1/2 cup pepper jack cheese on top and cook until cheese is melted. Top with the chopped poblano pepper and a second tortilla. Flip quesadilla and cook for another minute, slice into quarters.

Add the avocado mixture to the pot of chili, stirring to incorporate. Serve the chili garnished with toasted pumpkin seeds and a little cheese with the quesadilla alongside.