What would Superbowl parties and tailgates be without chili? And what would chili be without endless debate: Beans (and which beans)? Pork, beef, or both? Vegetarian? Vegan? Spices (and which spices)?
Then there’s beer. Well, of course, you say. But what about beer in your chili? Absolutely!
Beer will boost your chili. It helps tenderize and add flavor to meat. Or if you decide to go meatless, beer will still take your chili up a notch. I suggest a stout or smoked porter. Both are boldly flavored, malty dark beers that pair perfectly with any chili recipe.
Smoky sausage and smoked paprika are the perfect compliment to this hearty chili which pairs nicely with a full-bodied Syrah or Zinfandel, and–of course–beer (note that Elysian’s Dragonstooth Stout comes in a 22 oz bottle and only 12 ounces is called for in the recipe, which means there’s a bit left over for drinking, assuming you don’t consume the rest of the beer while cooking). I served our chili with more grated Beecher’s Smoked Flagship cheese, guacamole, salsa and sweet potato chips which added a bit of sweetness to balance the smoke and spice.
Superbowl Sunday: Smokin’ Seattle Seahwawks Stout Chili Recipe
For the chili:
- 2 Tbsp olive oil
- 1 cup sweet white onion, chopped
- 1 large jalapeno, finely chopped
- 1 large red bell pepper, chopped
- 1 lb Andouille or other smoked sausage, raw, removed from casing (roughly 4 sausages, depending on size)*
- 1 lb ground lean beef *
- 1-2 15 oz cans beans (optional: some folks like ’em, some don’t)/I chose mixed: kidney, pinto and black beans
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 12 oz stout or smoked porter (and make that a Seattle Stout, like Elysian Dragonstooth Stout!)**
- 14 oz diced tomatoes
- 1 tsp smoked paprika (or as smoky as you like it)
- 1 tsp cumin
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 2 Tbsp Worcestershire sauce (I didn’t have this on hand and it tasted great, so I think you could go with or without)
- 1 Tbsp molasses, (not black strap)
- Garnish: chopped chives or cilantro
*This is a meaty chili. You can adjust the amounts to suit your preferences. For my vegetarian friends, you could increase the vegetables (adding whatever suits your fancy) and beans.
**I found that on night #1, the chili–while very tasty–ended up with a bit more liquid than I thought it would. But on night #2, all the stout had been absorbed (and, in my opinion, the flavors had mingled and were more complex). So my suggestions are: make the chili one night ahead and reheat; lower the amount of beer (but why would you want to?); let the chili cook a lot longer than the recommended cooking time; or, accept that your chili will be a bit watery.
For the topping:
- 1 cup cheddar cheese, shredded (I used Beecher’s Smoked Flagship for more smoky goodness)
- ½ cup cilantro, chopped
- ¾ cup crème fraiche, yogurt or sour cream (I prefer the tang of crème fraiche or yogurt, but I won’t keep anyone from their sour cream)
Directions
- In a large pot or Dutch oven, heat the olive oil. Add the onion, jalapeno, and bell pepper and cook until onion softens but isn’t browned, about 5 minutes.
- Add the sausage and beef, cook until meat starts to brown. Add the garlic, cook for about 30 seconds.
- Add the beer, beans, diced tomatoes, smoked paprika, pepper, cumin, and Worcestershire sauce. Allow to simmer for at least 30 minutes or until thickened.
- Pour into bowls. Top with cheddar, and crème fraiche.
- Garnish with chopped chives or cilantro.
Serves 4 hungry Superbowl fans.
Take the road less traveled (and GO HAWKS), Beth
Beth Whitman says
My favorite Superbowl food is a queso that my friend makes. She simply puts Velveeta cheese (I KNOW, gross) in a crockpot along with a can of peppers and tomatoes (there’s a special brand she uses) and just turns on the crock. It melts in less than 10 minutes and is perfect for dipping.
I can’t wait for the Superbowl for this reason 🙂
Lucy says
YUM! I am SO into chili lately. I usually use smoked paprika for a shortcut to the smoky flavor but I’m going to try the beecher’s cheese next. Actually I made a huge pot of black bean and beef chili the week before they tested my iron levels (which had been low), ate it for several days, and my test came back “fantastic.” I wanted to raise my iron naturally and I’m so proud of myself that I did it through diet alone (especially as a former vegetarian). Eat beef!!
Lucy says
(Obviously I ate other things high in iron besides the chili, but I know that the chili was a huge factor.)
Beth Shepherd says
Velveeta! I grew up with Velveeta on/in everything. When I read there was a Velveeta shortage, I thought “Oh no!” Crisis!
http://www.nbcnews.com/business/not-stunt-velveeta-confirms-shortage-2D11887843
Beth Shepherd says
I’m all about smoky flavor!
Beth Shepherd says
Yep. Beans are a good thing.
Carolyn Guth says
The special can to mix with the Velveeta is Rotel — best zippy dipping cheese! Your chili sounds delicious — we’ve already had chili this week since we’ve been practically snowed in for a week. Split pea soup with ham on the menu tonight! Still have our Seahawks mugs and will be cheering the team on from Michigan — Pesto will be sporting her lime green bandana to boot!!
Beth Shepherd says
Veleeta it is! I should have found a way to make smoked Velveeta 😉