Sunday, March 29, 2020

Beef and Wheat Berry Chili

Ingredients

4 tsp. vegetable oil

2 lb. boneless beef bottom round

2 medium onions

3 clove garlic

3 tbsp. ground ancho chile pepper

2 tsp. ground cumin

salt

1 can diced tomatoes with chiles

1 can low-sodium beef broth

2 1/2 c. water

1 c. wheat berries

1 bottle dark beer

2 slice bacon

1 bay leaf

Sour cream (optional)

green onions (optional)

 

Directions

  1. In nonstick 5- to 6-quart Dutch oven, heat 1 teaspoon oil over medium-high heat until hot. Add half of beef and cook 4 to 5 minutes or until browned on all sides, stirring occasionally. With slotted spoon, transfer beef to large bowl. Repeat with 1 teaspoon oil and remaining beef.
  2. In same Dutch oven, heat remaining 2 teaspoons oil over medium heat until hot. Add onions and cook 5 minutes or until golden, stirring occasionally. Stir in garlic and cook 30 seconds, stirring constantly. Stir in chile pepper, cumin, and 1/2 teaspoon salt; cook 1 minute. Return beef to Dutch oven; add tomatoes and broth. Heat to boiling over medium-high heat. Reduce heat to low; cover and simmer 1 1/2 hours.
  3. Meanwhile, in 3-quart saucepan, combine water, wheat berries, beer, bacon, bay leaf, and 1/2 teaspoon salt; cover and heat to boiling over medium-high heat. Reduce heat to low and simmer, covered, 1 1/2 hours. Drain wheat berries, reserving 1 cup cooking water. Discard bacon and bay leaf.
  4. Stir wheat berries and reserved cooking water into Dutch oven with beef mixture. Reduce heat to low and simmer, uncovered, 15 minutes or until beef and wheat berries are tender. Serve chili with sour cream and green onions if you like.