Chili a' la Peters

6-8 servings servings Prep: 15 m Cook: 50 m Total: 1 h 5 m Beginner
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Chili a' la Peters
Chili always a favorite! Cooking slow and easy on the stove top or place in the slow cooker after browning the ground beef, pork, or venison and basically forget about it. This hearty chili with Mexene chili powder, cumin, and chili beans can be made with any combination of meats and is perfect served over hot dogs or with cornbread.

Ingredients

6-8 servings servings
  • 5 tbsp Mexene chili powder
  • 4 tbsp shortening
  • 2 lbs chili ground meat (beef, pork, venison, or combination)
  • 2 onions, chopped
  • 1 bell pepper, chopped
  • 4 garlic cloves, minced fine
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 1 tbsp cumin or additional chili powder
  • 1 (15 oz) can tomato sauce
  • Water
  • 2 (15 oz) cans chili beans
  • 1 (15 oz) can black bean soup (Optional)
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Step-by-Step Instructions

  1. In heavy saucepan or cast iron pot, brown the meat, bell pepper, garlic and onion in the shortening over medium-high heat, about 8-10 minutes. Salt and pepper to taste. Add the chili powder, cumin, and bay leaf. Stir together.
  2. Combine with the tomato sauce; heat thoroughly. Add water until the desired consistency is reached (start with 1-2 cups).
  3. Add the chili beans and optional black bean soup. Reduce heat and simmer for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent scorching.
  4. Remove bay leaf before serving. Serve over your favorite wiener and hot dog bun, or alongside cornbread.

Common Problems and Solutions

Q: Can I use this recipe in a slow cooker?

A: Yes! After browning the meat and vegetables in step 1 and adding the spices, transfer everything to your slow cooker. Add the tomato sauce, water, beans, and bay leaf. Cook on low for 6-8 hours or high for 3-4 hours.

Q: How much water should I add?

A: Start with 1-2 cups and add more as needed. The chili will thicken as it simmers, so you can always add more water if it gets too thick. For serving over hot dogs, you want it slightly thinner; for eating with a spoon, keep it thicker.

Q: What is Mexene chili powder?

A: Mexene is a classic chili powder brand popular in the South. If you can't find it, any quality chili powder will work, though you may want to adjust the amount to taste as different brands vary in heat level and flavor intensity.

Tips and Techniques

For deeper flavor, toast the chili powder and cumin in the pot for 30 seconds before adding the tomato sauce—this blooms the spices and brings out their oils. Don’t skip the bay leaf; it adds subtle complexity that ties all the flavors together. Remove it before serving.

Ingredient Substitutions

  • Mexene chili powder: Any quality chili powder
  • Chili ground meat (beef/pork/venison): Ground turkey or chicken
  • Shortening: Vegetable oil or bacon grease
  • Black bean soup: Additional can of chili beans or pinto beans

Equipment Needed

  • Heavy saucepan or cast iron pot
  • Slow cooker (optional method)

Historical Context

This style of chili reflects Southern and Southwestern cooking traditions rather than strict Texas-style chili con carne. The addition of beans and vegetables makes it more of a family-friendly comfort food, perfect for feeding a crowd at potlucks or game day gatherings.