Crazy-Good Old-Fashioned Texas Chili
Original recipe by: Leslie Brenner
This fairly traditional Texas chili relies on dried ancho chiles for its deeply spiced (yet not fiery) flavor. Beans need not apply. It’s just the thing to serve for a sports-watching party — or anytime.
Serves 6-8.
Ingredients
12 medium dried ancho chiles
4 medium garlic cloves, unpeeled
1/2 onion, peeled and cut into thick slices
2 teaspoons cumin seeds
2 tablespoons olive oil
3 pounds well-marbled chuck, cut into 1/2-inch dice
2 teaspoons salt
2 teaspoons dried Mexican oregano
2 dried bay leaves
1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper (or more, to taste)
Chopped white onion and grated cheddar and/or jack cheese for garnish (optional)
Instructions
Make the chile purée: Remove the stems from the ancho chiles, slice or tear them open and shake out and discard the seeds. Use your fingers (you may want to wear gloves) to remove the stubborn seeds. Heat a heavy-bottomed Dutch oven (the same one you'll use to cook th…