Tag Archives: chili

A Brief “Date”

Yes, our dog Zoe likes every dog she meets but, as a flirtatious “cougar” who was spayed at five weeks has two favorites and just flirts. She does not date.

I know that if we are threatened in any way I can call upon Miko and his dad J. Yes, I made J an interesting quesadilla of pork, cheese and my homemade salsa after Zoe and my “last chance” walk.

Miko is an imposing dog, huge and with gravitas. So is his owner. I feel safe here alone with Zoe and thank my neighbors, all, for checking on us while my husband is away on business.

Now Zoe and I just have to teach G, a Swede how to make Texas chili! I’ll have to issue a challenge. But I have to pass my final exam first, Kottsbullar, Swedish Meatballs he taught me. Then we make Texas chili and I test him. Then we toast, I guess, there are no wagers on this as yet.

I’m enjoying making a different homemade salsa every time and making menus for my husband and for guests. I change things, pizza for young kids as they get to make dough (for us, tomorrow) and roll out my dough and choose toppings. What they choose is so interesting as it tends towards personalities. One is brave, the other just cheese. That might be a great study. Fr. Cap and Fr. Murphy would have liked that. RIP Fathers. To friends, cooking, safety, Dee

Chili and Dog Treats

The only thing in common is my butcher. Carolyn sold me 4# of beef (chuck and short ribs) to break down and grind Texas-style and the chili has been on the stove for a couple of hours now.

I asked about beef liver and Christian is ordering me some that will be in on Friday. I’m going to try to re-create a dog biscuit with eggs (including the shells), cottage cheese, garlic and organic whole wheat flour. I used to make it for my first dog over 20 years ago and can’t find the recipe. I brought a batch to the shelter I volunteered for years ago and the president came back and thought they were for people (it was over the holidays) and he liked them! I did tell him they were for the dogs so he left the remainder for them. That’s where I got my first dog.

This will be a gift for my good friend who has stayed with us and is now very ill but still eating. He is a pleasure to have around and will be missed so deserves some liver cookies. Friday, m’dear. I have not one but two cookie cutters shaped like a dog bone! Cheers and I hope you can smell my chili from there. Dee

Chili

After a 60-degree day, it is now three and expected to go below zero before I take the dog out in a couple of hours. Luckily she should be dry after yesterday’s bath and will wear her winter coat as I will don mine with bunny hat and gloves.

I tried to make my riff on Lady Bird Johnson’s Pedernales River Chili yesterday, messing up the first moments in the meat grinder attachment and starting over.

All in all, I boned out 1.5# short ribs, de-fatted 2.5# chuck, and kept it cold. One yellow and one white onion and about 6 cloves of garlic went into the pan after going through the food processor. Then I ground the meat, after the initial hiccup, 20 minutes later the meat was still cold and I could grind it easily.

The onions and garlic were sauteeing away and after they were removed I added the meat in four batches, draining each batch and adding to a large pot with the veg. I salted and peppered every addition.

I added oregano, a tablespoon of ancho chili powder and a heaping teaspoon of cumin, and aleppo chili from Turkey. That’s what I found at Penzey’s, the most incredible herb and spice store in the USA.

After three hours, the house smelled like dirty socks (the cumin) and the chili was done. I added hot sauce and more chile beforehand for a big finish. Perhaps I’ll toast them next time in a dry pan, or try different varieties.

After a day of chili in the frig we’re having a friend over and hopefully she will offer her comments. I did make my own cornbread last time I served chili but will cheat with the boxed version this evening as I’ve much to do today.

I told you that our local grocery is selling jarred Texas “chili base” and the primary ingredient is beans! I talked to my husband’s grandmother today and told her this and she laughed! Real Texans don’t put beans in their chili.

Ten years ago, if I’d put beans into chili, I’d have been drummed out of this family before I was ever in it. Cook something today and tell us about it, Dee