Epic Beer-Braised Chili Delight
Inspired by the hilarious cult classic 'National Lampoon’s Animal House', this Epic Beer-Braised Chili Delight brings the flavor and fun to your dinner table. Packed with tender skirt steak and juicy pork sausage, this hearty dish is complemented by a medley of spices that will warm your soul. The addition of beer elevates the dish, creating a savory depth you'll crave time and again. Perfect for gatherings, game day, or a cozy night in, this chili is sure to be a hit with friends and family alike! Dive into this dish for a big bowl of comfort with a kick!
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
22
Ingredients
Ingredients
corn oil
3 tablespoons (measured)
skirt steaks
2 lbs (cut into 1/2-inch cubes)
pork sausage
2 lbs (removed from casing if necessary)
garlic cloves
10 (minced)
medium onions
2 (roughly chopped)
jalapeno peppers
2 (seeded and finely diced)
pinto or black turtle beans
4 cups (fully cooked (optional))
ground cumin
2 tablespoons (measured)
ground coriander
1 tablespoon (measured)
chili powder
5 tablespoons (measured)
chili flakes
1 teaspoon (measured)
paprika
1 tablespoon (measured)
oregano
2 teaspoons (measured)
sage
1 teaspoon (measured)
bell pepper
1 (diced)
celery stalks
2 (diced)
crushed tomatoes
28 ounces (canned, with juice)
ground dried chile or roasted chilies
6 ounces (finely chopped)
beef stock
2 cups (measured)
bay leaf
1 (whole)
fine cornmeal or masa harina
2 tablespoons (optional, for thickening)
beer
24 ounces (or substitute with 8 kegs, ice cold (just for fun!))
Instructions
1
In a large cast iron skillet, heat the corn oil over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add the cubed skirt steak in batches, browning them for about 4-5 minutes until browned on all sides. Use a slotted spoon to transfer the browned meat to a large Dutch oven or heavy casserole, leaving excess fat in the skillet.
2
In the same skillet, reduce the heat to medium and add the minced garlic, roughly chopped onions, and diced jalapeño peppers. Sauté for 2-3 minutes, stirring frequently until fragrant and the onions begin to soften.
3
Sprinkle in the ground cumin, ground coriander, chili powder, chili flakes, paprika, oregano, and sage. Stir well to combine, allowing the spices to bloom for 1-2 minutes while stirring constantly.
4
Add the diced bell pepper, diced celery, crushed tomatoes (with juice), and either ground dried chilies or roasted chilies. Stir thoroughly, scraping up any flavorful browned bits from the bottom of the skillet, then transfer this mixture to the Dutch oven with the browned meat.
5
To the Dutch oven, pour in the beef stock, bay leaf, and the 2 cans of beer. Stir well to ensure all ingredients are combined.
6
Increase the heat to medium-high and bring the chili to a boil. Once boiling, reduce heat to low, partially cover the pot, and let simmer gently for 1-2 hours. Stir occasionally, allowing the flavors to meld and the meat to become tender.
7
If you choose to add beans, introduce them to the pot 20 minutes before serving, simmering until heated through. Alternatively, serve them on the side for guests to add as they like.
8
To thicken the chili, gradually mix in the fine cornmeal or masa harina, stirring constantly until the desired consistency is reached.
9
As a friendly reminder: It’s not advisable to wear a toga while cooking over an open flame – safety first, even if a little humor is involved!
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What movie inspired the Epic Beer-Braised Chili Delight?
The recipe is inspired by the hilarious cult classic 'National Lampoon’s Animal House'.
What types of meat are used in this chili?
This recipe features 2 lbs of cubed skirt steak and 2 lbs of pork sausage.
How should the skirt steak be prepared?
The skirt steak should be cut into 1/2-inch cubes before browning.
What kind of oil is recommended for browning the meat?
The recipe calls for 3 tablespoons of corn oil.
How long should the skirt steak be browned?
Brown the steak in batches for about 4-5 minutes until browned on all sides.
What aromatics are sautéed after the meat?
Minced garlic, roughly chopped onions, and diced jalapeño peppers are sautéed next.
How many garlic cloves are needed?
The recipe requires 10 minced garlic cloves.
What spices give this chili its flavor?
The spice blend includes ground cumin, ground coriander, chili powder, chili flakes, paprika, oregano, and sage.
What does it mean to 'bloom' the spices?
Blooming involves stirring the spices in the hot skillet for 1-2 minutes to release their essential oils and deepen the flavor.
What vegetables are included in the mixture?
The recipe includes diced bell pepper and diced celery stalks.
What type of tomatoes should I use?
Use a 28-ounce can of crushed tomatoes with their juice.
Does the recipe call for dried or fresh chilies?
You can use either 6 ounces of ground dried chilies or roasted chilies.
What are the primary liquids used for braising?
The braising liquid consists of 2 cups of beef stock and 24 ounces of beer.
Is there a funny substitution for the beer?
The recipe jokingly suggests you could substitute the 24 ounces of beer with 8 ice-cold kegs.
How long does the chili need to simmer?
The chili should simmer gently for 1 to 2 hours.
Should the pot be covered during simmering?
Yes, the pot should be partially covered while simmering on low heat.
Are beans required in this chili?
No, beans are optional. You can use 4 cups of fully cooked pinto or black turtle beans.
When should I add the beans if I use them?
Add the beans to the pot 20 minutes before serving so they can heat through.
How can I thicken the chili if it is too thin?
Gradually mix in 2 tablespoons of fine cornmeal or masa harina to reach the desired consistency.
What is the recommended cooking vessel for the simmering stage?
A large Dutch oven or a heavy casserole dish is recommended.
Is the chili spicy?
Yes, it contains jalapeños, chili powder, chili flakes, and dried or roasted chilies, giving it a 'kick'.
Should the jalapeño peppers be seeded?
Yes, the jalapeños should be seeded and finely diced.
What should I do with the pork sausage casing?
The sausage should be removed from the casing if necessary before cooking.
What herb is added as a whole leaf?
One whole bay leaf is added to the Dutch oven before simmering.
What is the safety tip mentioned in the instructions?
The recipe advises against wearing a toga while cooking over an open flame for safety reasons.
What are some suggested occasions for serving this chili?
It is perfect for gatherings, game days, or cozy nights in.
How many ingredients are in this recipe?
There are 22 ingredients listed in total.
Is Masa Harina the same as cornmeal?
Masa harina is a specific type of fine cornmeal often used as a thickener in chili and Mexican cuisine.
What do I do with the browned bits in the skillet?
Scrape up the flavorful browned bits (fond) from the bottom of the skillet when adding the tomato and vegetable mixture.
How do I serve the beans if some guests don't want them?
You can serve the cooked beans on the side for guests to add to their own bowls as they like.