The chilli con carne on our dining menu has proved popular with guests. Usually served in the main dining room, it is also a dish of choice for easy alfresco dining. Here’s the recipe.
Ingredients for Chilli Con Carne
Serves 20-25 people.
- 1 kg minced beef
- 2 packs smoked bacon lardons
- 3 large onions diced
- 6 sticks celery diced
- 6 cloves garlic crushed
- 6 red peppers diced
- 4 tins red kidney beans
- 2 tins chopped tomatoes
- 2 tubes of tomato puree
- 2 beef stock cubes
- 8 large squares plain dark chocolate
- Cup of red wine
Seasoning for Chilli Con Carne
- 0.5 x teaspoon ground cloves
- 1 x teaspoon dried crushed chillies
- 1 x tablespoon cumin
- 2 x teaspoons ground black pepper
- 2 x tablespoons dried oregano
- 2 x tablespoons ground (sweet) paprika
- Handful of fresh basil leaves chopped
Variations on Chilli Con Carne
For a vegan version leave out the minced beef and lardons and add more mushrooms, peppers and celery, butternut squash, different kinds of beans and vegetarian stock cubes. Makes sure you use vegan chocolate. If you have guests turn up unexpectedly add another tin of red kidney beans and/or chopped tomatoes to make it go a little further. I have taken to making vegan chilli and serving meatballs and lardons separately. Everyone is happy.
How to cook Chilli Con Carne
Fry the bacon lardons with a olive oil to stop them sticking. Stir frequently. Dice all the vegetables as you go along. By the time your’re done dicing each one it will be time to add. When the lardons are starting to brown add the diced onions, then celery and garlic, then minced beef. Stir and break up the minced beef as it’s cooking. Cook and stir/break-up for about 10 minutes. Add diced peppers and stir. Add the seasoning and mix thoroughly. Add red kidney beans, tomatoes, tomato puree (all of both tubes), chocolate and stir. Leave to simmer (bubbling) on very low heat while the rice cooks for at least 15 minutes.
Slow Cooker Version
As above but after frying the lardons and minced beef put all in a slow cooker and cook for 8 hours.
- Serve on bed of rice with garlic bread, sour cream and grated cheddar on the side. Add guacamole for more colour.