Title: A Red Chili Nightmare
Categories: Chili
Yield: 4 Servings
| 1 | c | Pinto beans,dried |
| 5 | c | Water |
| 2 | tb | Lard |
| 1 | tb | Bacon drippings |
| 1 | | Onion |
| 12 | oz | Pork sausage,country-style |
| 1 | lb | Beef,coarse grind |
| 4 | | Garlic cloves |
| 1 | ts | Anise |
| 1/2 | ts | Coriander seeds |
| 1/2 | ts | Fennel seeds |
| 1/2 | ts | Cloves,ground |
| 1 | | Cinnamon stick,ground,1" |
| 1 | ts | Black pepper,freshly ground |
| 1 | ts | Paprika |
| 1 | | Nutmeg,ground,whole |
| 1 | ts | Cumin |
| 2 | ts | Oregano,dried,pref. Mexican |
| 4 | tb | Sesame seeds |
| 1 | c | Almonds,blanched,skins remov |
| 12 | | Red chiles,whole dried or |
| 1 1/2 | c | Chile caribe |
| 1 1/2 | oz | Milk chocolate,small pieces |
| 1 | cn | Tomato paste(6oz ea) |
| 2 | tb | Vinegar |
| 3 | ts | Lemon juice |
| 1 | | Soft tortilla,chopped |
| | | Salt |
1. Place the rinsed beans in a bowl, add 2 to 3 cups of water and soak
overnight. Check the beans occasionally and add water as necessary to keep
them moist.~ 2. Pour the beans and the water in which they were soaked into
a heavy saucepan and add 2 to 3 more cups of water. Bring to a boil over
medium-high heat, then lower heat and simmer, partially covered, for about
45 minutes, until the beans are cooked but still firm. Check occasionally
and add water if necessary. Drain the beans, reserving the cooking liquid.~
3. Melt the lard in a heavy skillet over medium heat. Add the beans and
lightly fry them in the lard. Set aside.~ 4. Melt the drippings in a large
heavy pot over medium heat. Add the onion and cook until it is
translucent.~ 5. Combine the sausage and the beef with all the spices up
through the oregano. Add this meat-and-spice mixture to the pot with the
onion. Break up any lumps with a fork and cook, stirring occasionally,
until the meat is very well browned.~ 6. Add the reserved bean-cooking
liquid to the pot. Stir in all the remaining ingredients. Bring to a boil,
then lower the heat and cook, uncovered, for 1/2 hour longer. Stir
occasionally. Add water only if necessary to maintain the consistency of a
chunky soup.~ 7. Taste when curiosity becomes unbearable and courage is
strong. Adjust seasonings.~