Author Notes
My mom made coffee in a Pyrex coffee pot and then later in an electric percolator. If the coffee pot broke or later if power went out she would make "cowboy" coffee - coffee grounds boiled in a pot ,in order to get her fix. I have done the same, pre-generator days. So when I cooked the beans for this chili, I did them "cowboy" style by adding finely ground coffee beans to the water and pintos. —inpatskitchen
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Ingredients
- Coffee rub ( makes 4 tablespoons)
-
1 tablespoon
plus 1 teaspoon very finely ground coffee
-
1 tablespoon
salt
-
2 teaspoons
ancho chili powder
-
1 teaspoon
ground cumin
-
1 teaspoon
granulated garlic
-
1 teaspoon
paprika
- For the Chili-Mac
-
2 cups
dried pinto beans, soaked overnight
-
water for cooking beans
-
2 teaspoons
finely ground coffee beans
-
1 pound
beef chuck roast, diced in 3/4 inch cubes
-
1 tablespoon
olive oil
-
2 teaspoons
plus 2 tablespoons of the coffee rub
-
1
medium onion, diced
-
1/2 cup
diced green bell pepper
-
3
cloves garlic, minced
-
1 tablespoon
finely diced serrano pepper
-
1 tablespoon
ground cumin
-
1 teaspoon
cayenne pepper
-
14.5 ounces
canned tomatoes with the juice
-
12 ounces
tomato or vegetable juice
-
1.5
cups water
-
1/2 cup
brewed coffee
-
1 tablespoon
agave nectar
-
1 cup
dried, small shaped pasta, cooked according package directions
-
green onion, sour cream and/or grated cheese for serving (optional)
Directions
- Coffee rub ( makes 4 tablespoons)
-
Combine all the ingredients and set aside.
- For the Chili-Mac
-
Drain and rinse the soaked beans.
-
Cook the beans and the 2 teaspoons finely ground coffee beans in enough water to cover them by about 3 inches for about an hour or until tender. Drain and set aside.
-
Season the chuck cubes with 2 teaspoons of the coffee rub in a dutch oven or soup pot, browning them well in the olive oil.
-
Add the onion, green pepper, garlic, and serrano to the pot and saute until the onions soften.
-
Add the 2 tablespoons coffee rub, the cumin and cayenne and stir well.
-
Crush the canned tomatoes and add them along with the tomato juice and water. Bring to a boil and simmer all for about 45 minutes until the beef is tender.
-
Add the cooked beans, brewed coffee and agave nectar and simmer another ten minutes.
-
Add the cooked pasta and serve with the garnish if desired.
I think I get my love for food and cooking from my mom, who was an amazing cook. She would start baking and freezing a month before Christmas in order to host our huge open house on Christmas afternoon. I watched and I learned...to this day I try not to procrastinate when it comes to entertaining.
My cooking style is pretty much all over the place, although I'm definitely partial to Greek and Italian cuisine. Oh yes, throw a little Cajun in there too!
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