Epicurious - The Best Chili You’ll Ever Make (Restaurant-Quality) | Epicurious 101
Ann Ziata, a professional chef, guides viewers through making a classic beef and bean chili from scratch, emphasizing the use of fresh spices for a more vibrant flavor compared to store-bought chili powders. She begins by toasting whole spices like cumin and coriander to enhance their aroma and flavor, then grinds them to create a homemade chili powder. This process ensures the spices are bright and aromatic, contributing significantly to the dish's overall taste.
The cooking process involves using a Dutch oven to evenly distribute heat, starting with sweating aromatic ingredients like onions, garlic, and peppers. Ann highlights the importance of adding chili powder to a hot surface to bloom the flavors before incorporating wet ingredients like tomatoes and stock. She uses ground beef but suggests alternatives like turkey or vegetarian options. The chili is simmered to develop flavors, and Ann recommends tasting for seasoning before serving. Garnishes like sour cream, cheddar cheese, and fresh herbs add richness and contrast, making the dish comforting and flavorful.
Key Points:
- Toast and grind whole spices like cumin and coriander for a fresher, more aromatic chili powder.
- Use a Dutch oven for even heat distribution and optimal cooking results.
- Sweat aromatic ingredients before adding chili powder to bloom flavors effectively.
- Incorporate ground beef or alternatives like turkey or beans for a personalized chili.
- Garnish with sour cream, cheese, and herbs for added richness and contrast.
Details:
1. 👩🍳 Introduction to Chili Making
- Homemade chili is superior to store-bought versions due to its fresher taste and more vibrant spices.
- The session will cover professional techniques for making classic beef and bean chili from scratch, including spice selection, meat preparation, and cooking methods.
- Participants will learn about the balance of flavors and how to adjust seasoning for personal taste preferences.
2. 🌶️ Crafting Homemade Spice Blend
- Toasting whole spices like cumin and coriander releases oils and compounds, enhancing flavor and aroma beyond store-bought options. Use a hot, dry pan and cool spices before grinding.
- Grind spices using a mortar and pestle or spice grinder for freshness; Mexican oregano adds citrusy notes, while paprika brings sweetness without heat.
- Smoked paprika introduces smokiness, and cayenne pepper adds mild heat; keep cayenne below a quarter teaspoon to maintain balance.
- Incorporate a quarter teaspoon of black pepper for a complete blend; whisk together all ingredients.
- Store the blend in an airtight container in a cool, dark place to preserve freshness and potency.
3. 🍲 Cooking the Chili Base
- Preheat a Dutch oven or a thick-bottomed pot at medium-high, then reduce to medium to ensure even heat distribution and prevent burning.
- Sweat aromatic ingredients like onions and garlic, cooking onions for 5-7 minutes for enhanced flavor; use minced garlic and cook until aromatic without burning.
- Incorporate diced bell peppers and jalapenos for heat and flavor, removing seeds to control spiciness.
- Add chili powder to a hot surface to bloom flavors, ensuring enough moisture to avoid burning.
- Opt for tomato paste over sauce for a deeper umami flavor, browning it for added richness.
- Brown ground meat (beef, turkey, chicken) after spices have bloomed, managing temperature for proper browning.
- Prefer red kidney beans for their flavor and shape, with alternatives like white or black beans available.
- Use fire-roasted tomatoes for added sweetness and acidity, with beef stock (or chicken stock/beer) for depth.
- Simmer the assembled chili for 30 minutes at a low boil to meld flavors.
4. 🌟 Final Touches and Serving
- Before plating, taste for salt and heat to ensure flavors are balanced.
- Sour cream can be used to cut spiciness, offering cooling relief and contrast.
- Cheddar cheese enhances richness, adding a popular flavor element.
- Fresh cilantro, scallions, and tortilla chips contribute to the comfort food feel.
- Adding lime juice introduces brightness, freshness, and acidity to the dish.
- Chili is best made at home; it should fill the home with aroma and be simmered on the stove.
- Chili is simple to prepare in one pot, minimizing mess in the kitchen.
- The dish can be scaled by doubling or tripling the recipe and freezing portions for later use.