Ingredients

  • 1/4 lb bacon, diced or 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 lb lean ground beef
  • 1 cup onions or 1 cup shallot, roughly chopped
  • 1 cup celery, roughly chopped
  • 1 green bell pepper, roughly chopped
  • 1 red bell pepper, roughly chopped
  • 6 garlic cloves, chopped
  • 1/2 cup sofrito sauce
  • 2 cups diced tomatoes
  • 1 (10 ounce) can rotel diced tomatoes and green chilies
  • 8 ounces tomato sauce
  • 1 tablespoon tomato paste
  • 1 cup beef broth
  • 1 (15 1/2 ounce) can light kidney beans
  • 1 (15 1/2 ounce) can dark red kidney beans
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 5 tablespoons chili powder
  • 1 tablespoon cumin
  • 1 teaspoon ground coriander
  • 1 tablespoon oregano
  • 1 teaspoon dried basil
  • 1 teaspoon smoked hot paprika
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon pepper

Method

  • Place the onions (or shallots), celery, green pepper, red pepper, & garlic in a food processor and process until they are a smooth puree.
  • In a large stock pot, saute the diced bacon until it is browned. Drain off the fat, reserving 2 tablespoons. Return the two tablespoons of bacon fat to the bacon in the pot and saute the ground beef in the bacon fat until it has browned. *If you don't wish to use bacon you can use two tablespoons of olive oil here*.
  • Add the onion/celery/bell pepper/garlic puree to the beef and saute for 5 minutes over medium heat.
  • Add all other ingredients and stir to mix well.
  • Bring to a simmer and cook, covered over medium-low heat for 30 minutes.
  • Remove the bay leaves and serve.
  • This is even better if you make it the day ahead. Refrigerate, the reheat and remove the bay leaves before serving.