Beef Chili with Ancho, Mole, and Cumin

Ingredients

• •1 tablespoon cumin seeds
• •4 slices bacon
• •4 pounds boneless chuck roast
• •1 large onion
• •4 cloves garlic
• •3½ cups beef broth
• •¼ cup ancho chile powder
• •¼ cup Texas-style chili powder
• •1 tablespoon mole paste
• •2 teaspoons salt
• •2 teaspoons apple cider vinegar
• •1½ teaspoons dried oregano
• •1 tablespoons masa
• •¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
• •2 cups beans
• •1 cup chopped onions
• •1 cup cheese
• •½ cup jalapeño chiles
• •2 cups tortilla chips

Cooking Instructions

1. 1.

   Toast cumin seeds in heavy small skillet over medium heat until fragrant, stirring often, 4 to 5 minutes. Cool; grind finely in spice mill or in mortar with pestle.

   5 min

2. 2.

   Sauté bacon in large pot over medium-high heat until brown and crisp. Using slotted spoon, transfer bacon to large bowl. Sprinkle beef with salt and pepper. Working in 4 batches, sauté beef in drippings in pot until browned, about 5 minutes per batch. Transfer beef and most drippings to bowl with bacon. Add onion and garlic to pot. Sauté until onion begins to brown, about 5 minutes. Add 1/2 cup broth to pot. Bring to boil, scraping up browned bits. Return beef, bacon, and any accumulated juices to pot. Mix in ancho chile powder, Texas-style chili powder, mole paste, 2 teaspoons salt, vinegar, oregano, and cumin seeds. Add 3 cups broth; bring to boil. Reduce heat to very low and simmer gently uncovered until beef is very tender, stirring occasionally and adding more broth by 1/2 cupfuls if chili is dry, about 2 1/2 hours. Mix in masa by teaspoonfuls to thicken chili or add more broth by 1/4 cupfuls to thin. Season chili with salt, pepper, and cayenne, if desired. DO AHEAD: Can be made 3 days ahead. Cool 1 hour. Chill uncovered until cold, then cover and keep chilled. Rewarm over low heat.

   150 min

3. 3.

   Set out garnishes as desired. Ladle chili into bowls and serve.

   5 min

4. 4.

   *Available in the spice section of many supermarkets and at Latin markets.

5. 5.

   **Available in the Latin foods section of most supermarkets and at Latin markets.

6. 6.

   ***Also known as masa harina; available at many supermarkets and at Latin markets.