We’re getting ready for football, tomorrow.

The San Francisco 49ers are playing the Philadelphia Eagles – in Philadelphia – to see who’s going to The Super Bowl.

As you probably all know, Victor is an East Coast Philadelphia boy and I’m a West Coast San Francisco boy. And after 20 years in Philadelphia, we’re back out west.

If the Eagles were playing any other team, I’d be a rabid Eagles fan – but they’re playing my hometown team. I hafta root for my hometown team. It’s practically a rule.

Victor is seriously out-numbered.

Phoebe and Nancy are coming over for the game and we’re cooking up a west coast meal – chili, jalapeño poppers, quesadillas, bean dip, guacamole, beer, and tequila….

It looks like a lot of ingredients, but it’s easy to put together.

 

 

Chili Con Carne

  • 1 pound dried pinto beans
  • 3 dried guajillo peppers
  • 3 dried puya peppers
  • 6 oz can tomato paste
  • 3 garlic cloves
  • 1/4 cup chili powder
  • 1-1/2 teaspoons smoked paprika
  • 2 teaspoons ground cumin
  • 2 pounds ground beef
  • 1 large onion, chopped (about 2 cups)
  •  2 poblano peppers, seeded and chopped
  • 1 teaspoon dried Mexican oregano
  • 6 cups beef stock
  • 1 bottle (12 ounces) beer
  • 3 cans diced tomatoes, undrained
  • 1 can diced mild green peppers
  • 3 tablespoons masa harina

Soak pinto beans overnight. Drain and set aside.

Place chiles in a bowl and add enough boiling water to cover. Let sit about 15 minutes to soften. Drain, reserving 1/2 cup of the soaking liquid. Discard stems and seeds. Process chiles, tomato paste, garlic and reserved liquid until smooth.

In a large pot, sauté onion and poblano pepper. Cook until wilted. Add ground beef and cook until beef is broken up and mostly cooked through.

Stir in spices, oregano, and pureed chile mixture. Add the stock, beer, tomatoes, canned chiles, and beans, Bring to boil and then reduce heat to low. Simmer until beans are done – about 1 1/2 hours. Stir in masa and simmer another 20 minutes.

 

Serve with assorted toppings: oyster crackers, cheeses like cotija or Mexican blend, chopped avocado, chopped onions, sour cream…

Chili is definitely one of those foods that taste better the next day, so plan accordingly!

 

 

Our Super Bowl menu will be completely dependent on the outcome of tomorrow’s game. It could be another west coast feast or it could be Jersey Mike’s Cheesesteaks. Whichever team wins, we will be rooting for them in the Super Bowl.

And GO NINERS!