Adirondack Chili
Chef: David White
Recipe type: Entree
Kitchen Type: Back Country
Ingredients
For the Flavor Bomb
- 1 green bell pepper, chopped
- 6 gloves garlic, peeled
- 1 chipotle pepper, dried
- 1 poblano pepper, dried
- 1 Thai chili, dried
- 1 cup cold water
- 1 cups coffee
- ¼ cup No,7 Adobo Sauce
Ingredients for the chili
- 2 tbsp. coconut oil
- 1 lb ground beef or venison
- 1 lb ground pork
- 2 medium onions
- ¼ cup Chili Seasoning
- 28 oz jar home-canned tomatoes
- 12oz beer
Directions
In a large cast iron fry pan over medium heat, heat the dried chilies for 2 minutes on each side. Turn off the heat and then add enough water to the skillet to cover the chilies, and let them soak for half an hour. If you have ever made chili with dried peppers and missed this step you’ll know how important it is. Someone always ends up with a mouth full of the spiciest pepper.- In a large Dutch oven over medium heat melt half the coconut oil. Turn the heat up a bit, add the meat to the pan and break it up with your spoon or spatula. The mix should sizzle a bit. Keep stirring and prodding for at least 5 minutes, until all the mince is in uniform, mince-sized lumps and there are no more pink bits. Make sure you keep the heat hot enough for the meat to fry and become brown. When done, transfer cooked meat to a metal strainer and rinse under hot water to remove as much fat as possible.
- Meanwhile, add the remaining coconut oil to the heated Dutch Oven and add your onions and cook for 3-5 minutes, until onions become translucent. Add the meat and the chili seasoning mix. Mix well and cook until mixture becomes very fragrant. Turn the heat up to med-high and mix in a 12 oz bottle of beer, preferably a nice local craft stout.
- To make the chili flavor bomb, drain the now rehydrated chilies. In your kick-ass 1960’s blender, puree the chilies along with the garlic, No.7 adobo sauce, chopped green pepper and 1 cup of cold water. Add to Dutch oven. When chili begins to boil, turn heat down to low and let simmer for five hours, stirring occasionally. Taste it once an hour, and if the flavors are too muted, add more salt.
Back Country Instructions
Back country preparation is super easy. First allow the chili to cool down to almost room temperature. Once cool, pour 1½ - 2 cups of mixture onto the drying sheet lined dehydrator tray. Use the meat setting (155-165 degrees) and allow to dry for 10-12 hours, overnight usually will do it. I have found that pork, turkey and chicken all dry and rehydrate faster than beef and venison, but I prefer the flavor of red meats better.
Once completely dry break into to small pieces. Store in zip locks or vacuum seal bags. I store all my back country meals in the freezer to prevent spoiling. Serves 1
NOTE: I like my chili smokin hot, but this isn't the case for my wife and most of the people I hike with (and cook for). Although this recipe is amazing it doesn't have enough kick for me. You could bring your favourite hot sauce into the back country with you, but I've had a sauce leak into my kit before and it was unpleasant. Instead I add a tbsp or two of hot sauce to my serving in the dehydrator.
Back Country Meal Prep
Pour the contents into the pot with 350ml (1½ cups, 12 oz.) of water. Bring to boil and cook for 5-7 minutes, or until it looks like it did before you dehydrated it. Serve.
Back country preparation is super easy. First allow the chili to cool down to almost room temperature. Once cool, pour 1½ - 2 cups of mixture onto the drying sheet lined dehydrator tray. Use the meat setting (155-165 degrees) and allow to dry for 10-12 hours, overnight usually will do it. I have found that pork, turkey and chicken all dry and rehydrate faster than beef and venison, but I prefer the flavor of red meats better.
Once completely dry break into to small pieces. Store in zip locks or vacuum seal bags. I store all my back country meals in the freezer to prevent spoiling. Serves 1
NOTE: I like my chili smokin hot, but this isn't the case for my wife and most of the people I hike with (and cook for). Although this recipe is amazing it doesn't have enough kick for me. You could bring your favourite hot sauce into the back country with you, but I've had a sauce leak into my kit before and it was unpleasant. Instead I add a tbsp or two of hot sauce to my serving in the dehydrator.
Back Country Meal Prep
Pour the contents into the pot with 350ml (1½ cups, 12 oz.) of water. Bring to boil and cook for 5-7 minutes, or until it looks like it did before you dehydrated it. Serve.
Recipe by Back Country Culinary at https://backcountryculinary.com/adirondack-chili/