Personal
chef Allison Coia of Aston, Pa., helps busy families and single
people in parts of Delaware, Pennsylvania and New Jersey organize
their meals though the Cook-A-Doodle personal chef service. The
service is available in New Castle County in Delaware; Delaware,
Chester, lower Montgomery and Philadelphia counties in Pennsylvania;
and Gloucester and Salem counties in New Jersey.
One of her clients loved this chili recipe, which can be enjoyed
throughout the week as leftovers.
ALLISON'S FIVE-ALARM FIREHOUSE CHILI
2 pounds top round or chuck steak - cut in 1/2 inch cubes
1 tablespoon salt
1 teaspoon black pepper
3 teaspoons olive oil
7 cloves garlic, minced
1/3 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1 large onion, chopped
1 large green pepper, chopped
3 1/2 cups water
3 bay leaves
1 1/3 tablespoons paprika
1 1/3 teaspoons cumin
1 1/3 teaspoons oregano
1 cup coffee (brewed strong)
1 1/2 cans crushed tomatoes in purée (28-ounce can)
1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
1 1/3 chipolte pepper, packed in adobe sauce (found in specialty
stores)
1 1/2 teaspoons sugar
1 1/2 cans red kidney beans (19-ounce can), drained
1 1/3 tablespoons flour (see note)
2 2/3 tablespoons cornmeal (see note)
2/3 cup water (see note)
Season meat with salt and pepper and brown in the olive oil in a
large pot. Add garlic and cayenne and cook for 1 minute. Add onion
and pepper and cook until the onion becomes transparent. Add water
and bay leaf. Cover and simmer until meat is tender, about 1 1/2
hours.
Add all but the last three ingredients and simmer uncovered until
the flavors are married and the meat is very tender, about 30
minutes.
If the chili is to your desired thickness, omit last three
ingredients. Remove bay leaf and adjust seasonings.
Note: If you like a thicker chili, you can blend flour, cornmeal
and water together and whisk into simmering chili, stirring until
thickened, about 10 minutes or less.
To nominate a cook, send name, address, phone number and
recipe title to: House Special, 950 W. Basin Road, New Castle, DE
19720, or e-mail to mailto:dwilson@delawareonline.com
