Braised Beef Chili

Instructions

1. 1

   Preheat the Oven

   1 min

   Begin by preheating your oven to 120°C (225°F or gas mark 1). This low temperature is ideal for slow cooking the beef, allowing it to become tender and flavorful over time.

2. 2

   Prepare the Beef

   1 min

   Take the beef out of the fridge and let it sit at room temperature for about 30 minutes. This helps in achieving an even cook when searing.

3. 3

   Chop Onions and Garlic

   20 min

   Use a food processor to finely chop the onions and garlic. Aim for a consistent chop to ensure even cooking and flavor distribution in the chili.

4. 4

   Sear the Beef

   40 min

   In a large casserole dish, heat a dash of olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the beef and sear it on all sides until it develops a rich golden brown crust, about 4-5 minutes per side. Once browned, remove it from the pot and set aside.

5. 5

   Brown the Chorizo

   28 min

   Add a little more olive oil to the pot if necessary, then add the chorizo. Cook until it is browned and slightly crispy, about 5-7 minutes. Remove the cooked chorizo and set it aside with the beef.

6. 6

   Cook Aromatics and Spices

   32 min

   In the same pot, add the chopped onions and garlic along with cumin, allspice, cloves, cinnamon stick, bay leaves, oregano, and ancho chilies. Cook these ingredients, stirring occasionally, until the onions are translucent and aromatic, about 5-8 minutes.

7. 7

   Add the Tomato Base

   20 min

   Season the mixture with salt and pepper, then pour in the balsamic vinegar, plum tomatoes, tomato ketchup, and dark brown sugar. Stir everything together, ensuring the tomatoes break down and meld with the spices, creating a rich base for the chili.

8. 8

   Combine Beef and Liquid

   20 min

   Return the seared beef to the pot. Pour in 400ml of water or red wine for added depth of flavor. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer, stirring occasionally.

9. 9

   Bake in the Oven

   1 min

   Cover the pot with a lid and carefully transfer it to the preheated oven. Allow the chili to cook undisturbed for 2 hours; this slow cooking will tenderize the beef and develop the flavors.

10. 10

    Add Borlotti Beans

    18 min

    After 2 hours, check the tenderness of the beef. If it's fork-tender, add the borlotti beans to the pot and stir gently. Return the pot to the oven and cook for an additional hour to heat the beans through.

11. 11

    Shred the Beef

    4 min

    Just before serving, use two forks to shred the beef into bite-sized pieces, mixing it back into the chili. This will help distribute the meat throughout the chili for better flavor in every bite.