Chile (Red)

From AUTHENTIC CHILI RECIPE, A.K.A. BOWL OF RED.

A very simple dish to prepare.

• 4 slices bacon (or 2 tb mapa huira)
• 3 pounds of beef, cubed

Fry the beef in batches in the pork fat from the bacon or mapa huira until well browned.

• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 onion, diced
• 1 cup ground chile pods (I use Ancho powder, try with 1/2 cup)
• 1 tb ground cumin
• 1 tb salt (try with 1 tsp)
• 8 cups water

Add everything to the pot and simmer for 3 or 4 hours, stirring frequently, until cooked down and thickened.

This came out a little bitter and about the right spiciness. I added some tomato paste, oregano and sugar, but that moved it closer to spaghetti sauce than I wanted. Next time experiment with less chile, less salt, possibly baking soda, vinegar, lime juice, cream or yogurt to cut bitterness. Maybe some red pepper flakes.