posted by mikeb99 07-19-100 11:38 AM
West Virginia Hot Dog Chili
1/2 cup shortening
2 TBSP. onions, chopped
2 cloves garlic, chopped
5 lbs. ground beef
1 1/2 TBSP. paprika
2 1/2 TBSP. chili powder
1 1/2 TBSP. black pepper
1 TBSP. cayenne pepper (can use 1/2 TBSP. - 2 TBSP.)
2 TBSP. salt
2 1/2 TBSP. ground cumin
1 tsp. ground cinnamon
1/2 - 1 cup cracker meal
Saute meat, garlic and onions till browned. Add spices, stir well. Add about a quart of water and cook over low heat for 3-4 hours. Add a little water occasionally to keep from sticking.
When chili is cooked, remove from heat and add 1/2 to 1 cup of cracker meal and stir well.
Another trick that you can do is place the pot in the bottom of the kitchen sink and run an electric hand mixer around briefly - this makes for a finer ground meat texture and is closer to the "real thing"
After the first batch you will learn to vary (slightly) the blend of peppers and cumin...the cinnamon is critical but your chili should never have a cinnamon taste.
This chili freezes well and you may cut the recipe in half, but no more