Ingredients

  • 10 dried bell peppers (*Aji Panca)
  • 10 dried bell peppers (*Cascabel)
  • 1 dried pepper (*Habanero)
  • 5 lbs ground chuck
  • 2 onions, diced
  • 4 dried red bell peppers, diced
  • 3 dried jalapenos, seeds removed diced
  • 2 (16 ounce) bottles beer (a strong American ale or porter)
  • 3 cups red wine
  • 2 (28 ounce) cans peeled Italian tomatoes, crushed by hand
  • 1 tablespoon ground pepper (*Aleppo)
  • 1 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon cayenne (more if you would like it spicier)
  • 3 teaspoons red chili pepper flakes
  • 1 head garlic, roasted
  • 1 (8 ounce) can pickled jalapeno peppers, diced
  • salt and pepper, to taste
  • 1 bunch scallion, thinly sliced (garnish)

Method

  • For the chili powder: Toast the Aji Panca, cascabel, and habanero chilies in a 350 degree F oven until they are fragrant and crunchy. Let them cool, then break them open and remove the seeds. Grind them in a spice grinder and set aside.
  • For the chili: Brown beef in a large stockpot over medium high heat. Drain off fat and remove beef from pot. Add the onion, red bell pepper, raw jalapenos, and 1/4 cup of the chili powder to the pot. Cook until the vegetables are softened and the chili powder is toasted.
  • Deglaze with beer and red wine. Reduce by half and then add the tomatoes, the ground Aleppo pepper, cinnamon, cumin, cayenne and red chili flake.
  • Simmer for at least an hour. Add beef back to the mix. Add roasted garlic, pickled jalapenos, and salt and pepper to taste.
  • For spicier chili, add more ground Aleppo pepper and cayenne pepper. Garnish with scallions.
  • *These peppers can be found at Kalustyan's or at most specialty/gourmet grocery stores.