Chili for the first winter storm...

Made up a batch of chili to prepare for the winter storm. I made it on Saturday with the idea I'd eat it after shoveling out on Sunday.

This time I decided to make my own chili powder. I know people knock him, but, I used Alton Browns recipe for chili powder.

The ingredients were

• 3 ancho chiles, stemmed, seeded and sliced
• 3 cascabel chiles, stemmed, seeded and sliced
• 3 dried arbol chiles, stemmed, seeded and sliced
• 2 tablespoons whole cumin seeds
• 2 tablespoons garlic powder
• 1 tablespoon dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  

It required some dried chilis which I picked up in the Mexican section of my supermarket. Our supermarket has a BIG mexican section. I couldn't find cascabel chilis in the big market, and didn't feel like stopping at the Mexican supermarket so I substituted Guajillo.

I deseeded and toasted them in my new (old) cast iron. Toasting chilis and spices just makes them THAT much better.

Then I ground everything up in my cheapo coffee/spice grinder. WOW. Awesome flavor!! Really a world of difference than some McCormick chili powder!

 

I then started on the Chili. I ground up a bunch of Angus Chuck that I bought, in my Kitchen-Aid with the Grinder attachement.

I didn't use any recipe for the chili, just kinda went by feel. Basically just browned the meat, deglazed with this...

Then threw in some tomatos, jarred salsa (I know I know cheating...) some of these...

some beans, a handful or two of tortilla chips,  and some beef stock...let it simmer on low for a few hours.

It's now Sunday, and I just got done shoveling out.

Perfect time for a bowl of red...

Made up some skillet corn bread...

 Opened up a bottle of...

and

It had just enough kick to summon the fire department...even Santa wanted some...

Bottom line. Making your own chili powder == worth it. Grinding your own quality beef == worth it. Not going off a recipe == worth it.