Fire In The Hole! OMG! Peaceful's Making CHILI! Who Will Save Us??? LOL!

 It is said that Libra folks " Are of a Gentle and Cool, even tempered Nature and are somewhat studiously inclined to avoid those things that tend to be Firey or of uncontrolled excitability..."

Dude, that's only because we Libra folk actually think and plan on how to "Fire Things Up" without getting into trouble... Besides all that, I'm also born part Dragon, so therefore this Chili...

 My approach to Chili is that it is a meal, but it is also an ingredient for other dishes and sandwiches... This means that no beans or rice gets mixed in my Chili-- They are side dishes that you may add my Chili to, if desired...

 Three kinds of meat, usually medium to high quality  Beef, Lamb and Veal and (Three ounces of beef suet) Fat) are bought in roast cuts, and cubed by hand, placed in separate bowls-- If the meat is tougher that you would like, I'll add Papaya or Papain as a tenderiser, or use salt-free commercial brands.

 Next is the all important Veggie components of a good Chili-- Tomatoes being Number One: The Big Boys or Big Girl variety, and the Roma and Plum tomatoes, along with regular store tomatoes (For body...) are roasted 'til they caramelize in a low temp oven (275 deg.) about 30 minutes, along with Peppers and Aromatics...

 Peppers-  Sweet Bell peppers come in all colors, Red, Green, Orange and Yellow-- These will form the "base " of your sauce along with the tomatoes... Roasting them brings out their sweetness and a "meatiness" to compliment the meat components... Frying peppers, Poblano chilies, and Jalepenos are in the mix, too." Heat and sweet" is a theme here because here comes "Da Bomb..."

 For those of us who've never had them-- Habanero's can be a breathtaking shock, so I'm very careful to warn people when I'm using them, There is also a tiny Vietnamese pepper- who's name escapes me for that moment, but I can assure you this little one packs a Whollop that can bring tears to the eyes of  Tough Guys and Gals-- A warning about roasting these-- They will release their oils into the air, so do it outside... If you want to be able to live in your home for the next few days, that is...

Aromatics-- Whole Onions, Whole Garlic Cloves, Big Parsnips, Fresh Ground Horseradish-- All get roasted and chopped  (Except the Horseradish-- which should also be grated outside-- Wear a mask, and do it downwind...)

Bringing it all together:

Prepare your cast iron cauldron, er, pot- by rubbing it with the beef fat as it's slowly heating to about 350 deg ... you should have about 3 ounces of fat working in your pot... Next, add the Aromatics, and allow them to cook in the oil for about 4 minutes. Next, add two cups of hot water, into with you have melted three or four beef Bullion cubes. Add a cup of red wine, if desired...

 The Peppers are next (The broth will "tame" them, somewhat- so you can stay in your kitchen without crying or choking), and then the tomatoes-- You can skin and peel them and add them whole... This sauce is not to be rushed, cooking my Chili is a slow process... which lends itself to adding stuff carefully... Like more liquids to keep your desired consistancy and flavour.. taste this sauce through out the cooking process...

 Now to the Meats: If they are sufficiently tender, all you need to do and add some salt, paprika and basil flakes or marjoram to them. Some Nutmeg or allspice worked through the meats can bring them to Life, without using MSG...

 Your sauce should have been cooking for about one or two hours by now, and the meats are ready to be added... Stir them in and let them cook for about 20-30 minutes at medium heat, then lower the flame, cover the pot, and go say some sweet things to your Significant Other for another hour or so... :)

 Chili is done when you can pull apart chunks of meat with a fork, but you will also want to allow this to rest a while before you eat it... dishes like this are made for be eaten the next day... But I'll understand if you can't wait! LOL! :)

 Try scooping out a round loaf of good soda bread and filling it with this Chili-- Add some fresh cheeses, and pop it in a hot oven 'til the cheese melts...

 And don't forget to share... Your neighbors will be able to smell this from a mile away, and you'll become the most popular Guy or Gal in town, for better or for worse! LOL! :)

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