Chasen's Chili

My family has been making this chili recipe since I was a small child more than 50 years ago. It's a recipe that stands up well. However, over the years, I've altered it a little. Here are my changes:<br/><br/>Instead of pinto beans, we use red beans. Red kidneys are okay but actually use red beans which are smaller and more tender.<br/><br/>Instead of parsley we use cilantro. When this recipe was first developed, cilantro was not commonly available in the US. Gives it a more authentic flavor.<br/><br/>Instead of canned whole tomatoes, use crushed tomatoes. makes the chili less watery.<br/><br/>Add chopped Chipotle peppers to give it a smoky, spicier flavor. <br/><br/><br/><br/>Now, we usually triple the recipe and don't add beans, and then freeze the chili in quart containers. Then when we thaw it out, we add the beans. Keeps them from losing their texture.<br/><br/>Hope you enjoy my suggestions.

OMG! I just made this chili and this is my new favorite chili! I agree with the other reviewer about cooking the meat with the spices brings out a wonderful flavor! I cut the recipe roughly in half and made it all in one pot instead of the three and it still came out GREAT! I cooked the beef in the oil and butter and then added the spices halfway through the meat being done then added the peppers, onions, garlic and parsley. I let that cook until the green pepper and onion started softening and then I followed the rest of the recipe adding all the other stuff in. (Except for the beans that went in after simmering for an hour) I used canned pinto beans so there was no need to precook the beans in step one. I just threw the can in after the chili simmered for an hour. Came out EXCELLENT! Very easy! Thank you for sharing this recipe, James!! I finally have a chili recipe that I actually really like now!

This recipe is so close to the one I had used for 30 years. Then the last 15 years I kept trying new recipes. So, last night I made this. The only difference was I added (1) small can of tomato sauce, and (1) small can of paste, like I use to. My husband said this is the best chili he has ever had, and I remembered how good the chili was I use to make. This made me wonder why I ever swayed away from it. Wonderful!!

I was a little skeptical with using 3 pots to cook this chili, I usually throw it all in one but followed the recipe with the execption of no parsely, I didn't have any, and this was really really delicious. I think the cumin and green peppers really made a difference. What ever it was, this is a keeper!!! Thanks for posting!!

I made this for company and it was a hit! Some of the kids didn't finish their portion and I caught their dad eating it up before he put the plate in the dishwasher! (He had already had 3rds!) I didn't put in the beans because I am the only one in the family that likes them and I did it in the crock pot, letting it simmer all day. Thanks for sharing a wonderful recipe!