Secret Weapon In Your Texas Red Chili

Re:Secret Weapon In Your Texas Red Chili (popeofchilitown)

Mon, 07 Jan 2013 23:21:49 GMT

Short time lurker, first time poster here.
Just finished a batch of my first true Texas Red. By true I mean no onion, no celery, no tomato, dried chiles... Felt weird at first, but tastedgoodman.

My 'secret' weapons in it (along with any chili) are equal parts chuck pork smoked brisket, instant coffee,dirty chocolate 70% , cayenne pepper, and sometimes just a small splash of good European cider vinegar. Always a bottle of premium lager, always room temperature. I also have a bag of dried ghost peppers that are surprisingly weak, but I threw one in just because anchos are hard to find where I am.

Cheers!

Re:Secret Weapon In Your Texas Red Chili (dimmie2)

Sat, 22 Dec 2012 18:09:45 GMT

Absolutely no cinnamon in my chili.
I think the worst thing the butcher shop makes is chili meat. Too much fat and gristle.

I prefer a bit of onion, garlic and tomatoes (or tomato sauce) in mine. I don't care for a thick, heavy meat only chili, so if eaten alone, I always add beans.

When my kids were small, they didn't like the tomato based spaghetti sauces, so I always made a pot of chili to use instead. They still like it that way.

If it's in the house, a partial can of coke is good for a change in flavor.

Re:Secret Weapon In Your Texas Red Chili (scrumptiouschef)

Sat, 22 Dec 2012 02:14:08 GMT

Love it, great secret weapon. Par grill and/or smoke your meats. I've done it. Love the subtle smoke flavor it gives.

Re:Secret Weapon In Your Texas Red Chili (Mosca)

Fri, 21 Dec 2012 17:36:01 GMT

My real secret is to cook the meat over an open flame. If I'm using ground beef I make burgers, then chop them up into the chili; if I'm using whole beef, I slice steaks, grill them then cube them into the pot.

Re:Secret Weapon In Your Texas Red Chili (scrumptiouschef)

Fri, 21 Dec 2012 12:15:00 GMT

Please do not cook with the onions. Use them as a garnish, it makes a big difference, removes the sweet notes that cloud the chili.

Re:Secret Weapon In Your Texas Red Chili (JRPfeff)

Fri, 21 Dec 2012 11:57:35 GMT

s-chef,

Thanks for the recipe link. That is close to what we have been using, no tomatoes, but we use onions.

I always thought tomatoes were a part of chili, and have seen some "Texas Red" recipes that use tomatoes. I like that your version doesn't use them. I find that tomatoes make chili too acidic for my taste and leaving them out helps me better enjoy the different flavors of the chili blends I purchased.

jrp

Re:Secret Weapon In Your Texas Red Chili (scrumptiouschef)

Fri, 21 Dec 2012 11:24:51 GMT

JRPfeff

Does anyone have a basic, "can't miss" recipe for Texas Red? We bought a variety of chili powder blends from Pendrey's and want to compare them without a bunch of variables in the recipe complicating things.

I humbly submit, the following,basic,authentic Texas Red Chili recipe http://www.scrumptiousche...hentic-Texas-Red-Chili no onions,no tomatoes, it's genuine. Please put on an old Ernest Tubb lp and squint toward San Angelo whilst cooking.

Re:Secret Weapon In Your Texas Red Chili (JRPfeff)

Thu, 20 Dec 2012 22:20:37 GMT

Does anyone have a basic, "can't miss" recipe for Texas Red? We bought a variety of chili powder blends from Pendrey's and want to compare them without a bunch of variables in the recipe complicating things.

Re:Secret Weapon In Your Texas Red Chili (Cosmos)

Thu, 20 Dec 2012 22:11:34 GMT

MellowRoast

I'll have to think on the cinnamon for a while, though.

Don't think about it ...toss one in and give it a try...of course the squeeze of lime at the end with oregano rounds out the aromatics...and balances the cinnamon.

Re:Secret Weapon In Your Texas Red Chili (scrumptiouschef)

Wed, 19 Dec 2012 22:38:06 GMT

Anybody in Austin reading? Savory Spice Shop on w.6th street is a dynamite secret weapon. They're nut jobs for fresh spices, grinding in-house and featuring tons of oddball spices.

Re:Secret Weapon In Your Texas Red Chili (mar52)

Mon, 22 Nov 2010 10:06:50 GMT

Hot sauce or concentrated chile oils work for heat.

I used to use a drop or two of Dave's Insanity for heat. Then I realized I liked the taste of the chile powders better without the added heat.

I think what makes my chili taste good is that I use lard to brown the meat and I always take the pan off the heat when I add the chile powders. They scorch easily and that can ruin the taste of the entire dish.

Re:Secret Weapon In Your Texas Red Chili (Curbside Grill)

Mon, 22 Nov 2010 07:53:53 GMT

My secret is THE SOURCE
Blow your socks off
http://www.hotsauceworld.com/source.html

Re:Secret Weapon In Your Texas Red Chili (MellowRoast)

Mon, 22 Nov 2010 07:06:57 GMT

chewingthefat

I always have a stalk or two in my pocket.!

Does that make you a stalker?

Re:Secret Weapon In Your Texas Red Chili (bartl)

Sun, 21 Nov 2010 21:40:18 GMT

Vegemite.

Re:Secret Weapon In Your Texas Red Chili (edwmax)

Sun, 21 Nov 2010 19:06:53 GMT

MellowRoast

I'll have to think on the cinnamon for a while, though.

Ketchup & most all BBQ sauces have cinnamon in them. If a BBQ place adds cinnamon in their dry rub or to their sauce to the point I can taste it, then it's heat burn time for me. .... I don't have to think about it, I don't like cinnamon add to my BBQ or chilli.

Re:Secret Weapon In Your Texas Red Chili (MellowRoast)

Sun, 21 Nov 2010 17:36:59 GMT

I'll have to think on the cinnamon for a while, though.

Re:Secret Weapon In Your Texas Red Chili (MellowRoast)

Sun, 21 Nov 2010 15:50:59 GMT

How about that. I just knew there was another use for my Dunkin' Donuts coffee that I hadn't thought of.

Re:Secret Weapon In Your Texas Red Chili (drummagick)

Sun, 21 Nov 2010 15:34:31 GMT

A wee bit of chocolate. Maybe the equivalent of 1/3 - 1/2 of one of those squares of baker's chocolate to a 4 qt crockpot.

No tomatoes ever. Toasted, then soaked, then pureed and strained chiles, mostly New Mexico but whatever else I can get my hands on too. I live in an area with a large Hispanic population and so have access to all kinds of different chiles. I love some chipotle chile in my chili too.

When the sauteed veggies of whatever kind are almost done, sprinkle the cumin in too and let it saute a bit.

I'm going to try the pinch of cinnamon next time I make chili, that does sound good. Maybe an even smaller pinch of clove too.

Re:Secret Weapon In Your Texas Red Chili (PapaJoe8)

Sun, 21 Nov 2010 15:13:49 GMT

Only 1/2 tsp, you'd never guess the cinnamon was in there! But... it will change tha flavor.

Chewer... shhh, about secret Cincinnati Chili stuff! They keep that behind locked vaults for a reason.

Joe, now that is a smart idea!

And Chewer... you a wise cookie! Just one of the many reasons I can think of is that you never know when you might be offered a Buffalo Wing w/ no celery! Blue cheese is kinda hard to keep in your pocket so U gotta take your chinces w/ that. :~*#@
Joe

Re:Secret Weapon In Your Texas Red Chili (chewingthefat)

Sat, 20 Nov 2010 13:53:45 GMT

joerogo

chewingthefat

Twinwillow

I second the cinnamon as well.

Your talking Cincinnati Chili.

Don't forget the celery!

I always have a stalk or two in my pocket.!

Re:Secret Weapon In Your Texas Red Chili (joerogo)

Sat, 20 Nov 2010 13:17:11 GMT

chewingthefat

Twinwillow

I second the cinnamon as well.

Your talking Cincinnati Chili.

Don't forget the celery!

Re:Secret Weapon In Your Texas Red Chili (chewingthefat)

Sat, 20 Nov 2010 12:00:37 GMT

Twinwillow

I second the cinnamon as well.

Your talking Cincinnati Chili.

Re:Secret Weapon In Your Texas Red Chili (Twinwillow)

Fri, 19 Nov 2010 18:13:42 GMT

I second the cinnamon as well.

Re:Secret Weapon In Your Texas Red Chili (Cosmos)

Fri, 19 Nov 2010 16:59:25 GMT

boyardee65

I use chipotle peppers in my Red but my "secret" ingredient is about 1/2 tsp of fresh ground cinnamon for a 6 qt. batch. It pairs very well with the sharpness of ground cumin. I like to use 7 bone chuck steak for the meat because I like the fattiness. I use the drippings to cook the rest of the veggies. A bottle of Sam Adams or Shiner Bock is also staple for me.

David O.

No secret, because I use the Dinosaur BBQ cookbook, but a stick of cinnamon goes in while it simmers...the finish is the juice of a half a lime and 2 tablespoons of dried oregano...killer.. (IMO). I also use chuck, but the whole thing gets started with bacon...just for the fat to cook in, the resulting bacon is for snacking while it cooks.

Re:Secret Weapon In Your Texas Red Chili (edwmax)

Fri, 19 Nov 2010 15:39:52 GMT

fishtaco

Michael Hoffman

fishtaco

Michael Hoffman

I'll be damned!

It's been a very long time since I had heard that one.

You must be hanging out with the wrong people.

I must not be hanging out with any turtles anyway!

YBYSAIA

Re:Secret Weapon In Your Texas Red Chili (Twinwillow)

Fri, 19 Nov 2010 15:21:00 GMT

MSG!

Re:Secret Weapon In Your Texas Red Chili (Twinwillow)

Fri, 19 Nov 2010 15:19:27 GMT

bdtn

a can of good dog food the alpo classic chuncky beef is real good.

Re:Secret Weapon In Your Texas Red Chili (fishtaco)

Fri, 19 Nov 2010 14:49:22 GMT

Michael Hoffman

fishtaco

Michael Hoffman

I'll be damned!

It's been a very long time since I had heard that one.

You must be hanging out with the wrong people.

I must not be hanging out with any turtles anyway!

Re:Secret Weapon In Your Texas Red Chili (boyardee65)

Fri, 19 Nov 2010 14:45:24 GMT

I use chipotle peppers in my Red but my "secret" ingredient is about 1/2 tsp of fresh ground cinnamon for a 6 qt. batch. It pairs very well with the sharpness of ground cumin. I like to use 7 bone chuck steak for the meat because I like the fattiness. I use the drippings to cook the rest of the veggies. A bottle of Sam Adams or Shiner Bock is also staple for me.

David O.

Re:Secret Weapon In Your Texas Red Chili (PapaJoe8)

Fri, 19 Nov 2010 14:08:21 GMT

Schef, my earlier comments about Soy Sauce may have been unclear and a bit off topic. I have only used this in my Chili Rice chili. Dispite what some folks in Louisianna think... this is also a true Texas dish. But, as everyone knows... it is not Texas Red.

Ok, secret weapon for Texas Red. Holding a BIG knife when you ask folks if they like your Texas Red chili always helps. :~). Ok, seriously... the Mr. Woods winning Terlingua chili secret weapons were Chicken Broth and... Celery. Benny Binion's Real Texas Chili secret weapon was Japanese peppers.

My only secret weapon, that I stumbled onto while trying to duplicate Benny Benion's chili, is... La Costina Chipolte Peppers. Carefull cause these are strong!
Joe