Sure! Let’s embark on a culinary journey to create the tantalizing Dark Smoky Chili, a hearty dish packed with flavors that will surely warm your soul on any chilly night. 🌶️
Dark Smoky Chili Recipe
Cook Time: 2 hours
Prep Time: 2 hours
Total Time: 4 hours
Servings: 6
Ingredients:
- 3 tablespoons flour
- 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 1/2 cup sweet onions, diced
- 2 dried ancho chiles, seeded and chopped
- 2 teaspoons cinnamon
- 4 teaspoons cumin
- 2 tablespoons chili powder
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 pounds pork, cubed
- Salt and freshly ground pepper, to taste
- Essence (a blend of spices), to taste
- 2 ounces dark chocolate, chopped
- 6 cups hot stock (chicken or vegetable)
- 4 jalapeño peppers, seeded and diced
Instructions:
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Caramelize the Vegetables: In a heavy Dutch oven, heat the extra virgin olive oil over medium-high heat. Sauté the diced sweet onions, red pepper, and jalapeño peppers until they are well caramelized, releasing their sweet flavors and aromas into the pot.
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Infuse with Aromatics: Add the minced garlic and the array of spices – dried ancho chiles, cinnamon, cumin, and chili powder. Allow the spices to bloom in the heat for a couple of minutes, filling your kitchen with their enticing fragrance.
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Prepare the Pork: Season the cubed pork generously with salt, freshly ground pepper, and a dash of essence, ensuring each piece is coated with flavor. Then, lightly dredge the seasoned pork in flour, giving it a delicate crust that will add richness to the chili.
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Sear the Pork: Return the Dutch oven to the heat and increase to high. Once hot, add the coated pork along with any excess flour. Sear the pork until it begins to render its fat, achieving a golden brown exterior, and the flour and oil meld into a luscious roux, thickening the chili base.
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Introduce Chocolate: Now, for a touch of indulgence, toss in the chopped dark chocolate. Stir it into the mixture, allowing it to melt and infuse the chili with its decadent richness, balancing the heat from the spices with a hint of sweetness.
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Incorporate Stock: Pour the hot stock into the pot, using it to deglaze the flavorful brown bits stuck to the bottom. Stir the stock into the pork mixture, creating a velvety liquid base that will envelop each ingredient in its comforting embrace.
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Add Chili Puree: Next, incorporate the chili puree, intensifying the chili’s smoky essence and adding depth to its profile. Stir it in thoroughly, ensuring it’s evenly distributed throughout the chili.
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Adjust Seasoning: Taste the chili and adjust the seasoning as needed, adding more salt or spices to suit your preferences. Remember, seasoning is the key to elevating the flavors of any dish, so don’t be afraid to experiment until it’s just right.
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Simmer to Perfection: Reduce the heat to low and let the chili simmer gently, allowing the pork to tenderize and the flavors to meld together harmoniously. Keep an eye on it, stirring occasionally to prevent any sticking or burning, until the pork is fall-apart tender and the chili is thick and rich.
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Serve and Enjoy: Once the chili reaches its desired consistency and the flavors have reached their peak, ladle it into bowls and garnish with your favorite toppings – perhaps some shredded cheese, a dollop of sour cream, or a sprinkle of fresh cilantro. Serve alongside warm crusty bread or fluffy rice for a complete and satisfying meal that will leave everyone coming back for seconds.
Now, gather your loved ones around the table, spoon into bowls of this sumptuous Dark Smoky Chili, and savor each spoonful as you revel in the warmth and comfort it brings. 🥣✨
