Don't Drink the Beer, Cook With It

Once I poured a bottle of beer into my meat and bean chili, I knew I'd never go back. There is something about beer in chili that makes it so rich and tasty. The beer cuts the acidity of the tomatoes and adds a wonderful flavor that complements the beans and the meat. This recipe is simple and in less than an hour you'll have a hearty bowl of chili perfect for a "chilly" Autumn evening.

One of the elements that makes this chili healthy to boot is all the vegetables. Freshly chopped peppers, carrots, onion and whole cloves of garlic boost the nutritional value of the dish. I recommend using a Mexican beer like Modelo Especial or something with a similar flavor like a Heineken. If you'd like your chili extra earthy in flavor, try a darker brew like a Modelo Negro. Don't cheat and put a light beer in the mix! Go for a solid beer with a good taste. 

Ingredients:

extra light olive oil

ground beef (1 lb)

chili powder, salt and pepper

1 onion chopped

2 carrots, peeled and sliced

2 cubanelle green/red peppers chopped

4 whole cloves of garlic

2 tbsps of the adobo sauce from a can of chipotles in adobo

12 oz. bottle of Modelo Especial or Heineken beer

2 14 oz cans of no salt added diced tomatoes in juice

1 can of low sodium red kidney beans, rinsed

1 can of low sodium black beans, rinsed

pickled jalapenos  

Season the ground beef with chili powder, salt and pepper. Brown in a pan with a little bit of olive oil. Drain the excess fat. Set aside. 

In a soup pot, add about a tablespoon of olive oil. Once it starts to sizzle, add the onion, carrots and cubanelle peppers. Saute and mix until they begin to get soft. Add the adobo sauce, ground beef, bottle of beer and cans of tomatoes and beans. Stir and season with salt and pepper. Cover and bring to a boil. Then uncover and lower temperature. Simmer for about 30 minutes stirring ocassionally. Top off with pickled jalapenos.

Serve with any appropriate side you'd like such as grated cheese, sour cream or tortilla chips. If you want the chili to be extra spicy, chop up one of the chipotles and add it to the mix.