No-Bean Texas Chili With Beef Recipe

This no-bean, no-tomato chili is a texas-style chili made with coarsely ground beef and a wide variety of spices and seasonings. The great texas flavor comes from the chili powder, garlic, bay leaves, and cumin. Cornmeal thickens this hearty, delicious chili. If you can't find coarsely ground beef, you can either use a meat grinder and grind lean stewing beef or mince the beef into very small cubes by hand. For additional flavor and texture, use 1 pound of ground pork shoulder with 2 pounds of ground beef. And if you like more heat, add a tablespoon or two of fresh minced jalapeno pepper or a minced chipotle pepper in adobo sauce with a few teaspoons of the adobo. While the chili is a simple combination of meat, onions, and seasonings, other vegetables may be added. Small chopped bell pepper or a shredded carrot are a few possibilities for extra flavor and nutrients. For optimal flavor, refrigerate the chili overnight and skim the fat off before reheating it. Even if you can't make the chili in advance, it will still be great. Try to skim off the excess fat before you add the cornmeal thickener. Add a tossed salad and cornbread or crusty bread for a fabulous meal.