Mitch Cardoza's 3 Time Award Winning (Manhattan Beach, Studio City & Topanga Canyon, CA - USA) Chili Recipe/ "California Wildfire"

Dear Friends:




As most of you, I love to cook... and every year I create a new chili recipe. In 2011 I created a mild and somewhat sweet pumpkin chili, the "Studio Suite."


This year, I bring you a true HOT HEAD... the "California Wildfire" and it's not for the faint at heart.


Enjoy!






Prep Time = 30 Mins


Cooking Time = 2 1/2- 3 Hours on Low/ Mid heat


Serves @ 10






Ingredients






1/2 pound bacon


2 pounds ground filet or lean sirloin


1 large green bell pepper, diced


1 medium yellow onion, diced


4 jalapeno peppers, seeded and chopped


4 habanero peppers, seeded and chopped


6 Anaheim peppers, seeded and diced


2 cloves garlic, minced


4 bay leaves


1 1/2 tablespoons ground cumin


1 ½ tablespoons of black ground pepper


1 tablespoon crushed red pepper flakes


3 tablespoons chili powder


2 tablespoons beef bouillon granules


1 (28 ounce) can crushed tomatoes


2 (16 ounce) cans whole peeled tomatoes, drained


1 (16 ounce) can chili beans, drained


1 (16 ounce) can black beans, drained


1 (16 ounce) can sweet corn, drained


1 (12 fluid ounce) can beer


1 cup red wine (cab/ merlot)


1 cup bourbon (Makers/ Jack)


1 small can of tomato paste


1 ounce chile paste


2 cups water


Directions






1. Place bacon in a large soup pot. Cook over medium high heat until evenly brown. Drain excess grease, leaving enough to coat bottom of pot. Remove bacon, drain on paper towels and chop.






2. Brown beef in pot over medium high heat. When meat is browned, stir in the bell pepper, onion, jalapeno peppers, habanero peppers, anaheim peppers, garlic, cumin, red pepper flakes, chili powder, pepper, bouillon, crushed tomatoes, whole tomatoes, beer, wine, booze, tomato paste, chile paste and water.






3. Reduce heat to very low/med and simmer for 60 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add bay leaves, beans, corn and bacon and continue simmering for another 90 minutes. If you prefer saltier chili, salt to taste with garlic salt during final 20 minutes of simmering.






Experiment/ Serve with the following toppings:






Diced Onions, Jack Cheese, Cheddar Cheese, Sour Cream, Pumpkin Seeds, Capers, Carob Chips, Chocolate Chips