Don't think because you hear the word Chile that it's got to be hot. It's all about picking the right chile for the right dish. Of course, you can always dial up the heat, but if you're looking for the earthy rich flavor that only chilis can give a dish, then my Beef Chile Colorado is just what you're looking for.
2New Mexico chiles (or pasilla)stems removed and seeded
2tablespoonsolive oil
½sweet Vidalia onionchopped
3clovegarlicfinely chopped
3cupsbeef broth1 cup reserved (chicken or vegetable broth can be substituted)
3teaspooncumin
1teaspoonsea saltor more to taste
1½teaspoondried oregano
½teaspoonblack pepper
1cupfire-roasted tomato
Beef
2tablespoonsolive oil
2poundsbeef chuck cut into 1 inch squares
1tablespoonmasa harina
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Instructions
Red Chili Sauce
In a large sauté pan or wide bottom pot, toast the chiles over medium heat for 1-2 minutes to bring out the flavor of the peppers. Remove from the pan until needed.
Add olive oil to the hot pan and sauté the onions for 2-3 minutes then add in the garlic and continue to sauté for 1 minute.
Add the toasted chiles, fire-roasted tomatoes, seasonings and beef stock to the pan.
Bring the mixture to a gentle boil. Turn off heat, cover the pot and let it steep for 45 minutes.
Reserve one cup of the stock. Add the remainder of the ingredients to a blender and blend until smooth at the highest setting. Add additional liquid if the mixture is too thick for your blender. Reserve the remainder of the liquid till needed.**Depending on the power of the blender it may completely puree all the ingredients. If it has bits and pieces remaining, run the sauce through a sieve to take out and pieces that didn't get pureed.
Beef
Heat a large pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the oil and half of the meat and brown on all sides so they have a good sear, about 5-7 minutes. Transfer the browned beef into a bowl and repeat the process with the remaining uncooked meat.
When all the beef has browned, return all the meat to the pot. Add in the red chile sauce, and reserved beef broth. Stir to combine and bring the mixture to a boil. Once the mixture has begun to boil, reduce the heat to simmer. Cover the pot and continue to simmer for 2 hours.
Uncover, taste and reseason as necessary.
Mix the masa harina with 2 tablespoons of the broth from the pot to make a slurry. Add the slurry back into the pot and mix well.
Raise to medium heat and cook for another 15 to 30 minutes, until the sauce has reduced and thickened slightly. If you prefer a thicker sauce, cook longer.