Join me on the carpet for one of TV’s greatest recipes…Kevin’s Famous Chili from The Office!
While there was never a recipe, Kevin left plenty of clues as to how he makes the dish that has been passed down from Malones for generations. Enjoy my version of Kevin’s Famous Chili!
2Ā lbsĀ chuck steak (cut into app 1ā cubes)
3Ā dry ancho chili peppers
2 fresh poblano peppers
4 cups beef stock (I prefer unsalted)
1 cup black coffee (room temp)
6Ā ozĀ tomato paste
2 bell peppers, diced (yellow and red)
1 large shallot, diced
1 large whiteĀ onion, diced
6Ā clovesĀ fresh garlicĀ sliced
14Ā ozĀ kidney beans
3Ā tomatoesĀ diced
2 tbspĀ cupĀ chili powder
1/2 cup bakers or dark semi sweet chocolate bar, chopped
salt and pepperĀ to taste
1 beer (Yuengling if you can for āauthenticityā)
-Toast whole ancho chilis in a dry pan until slightly pliable and fragrant, moving constantly to not burn
-Once toasted, rip off stem and take seeds out
-Soak in warm water for at least 30 minutes or until soft
-Turn flame on stove on high and place whole poblanos directly onto the fire and char all the way around until completely blackened.
-Once charred, place in a paper or plastic zip top bad to steam for at least 20 minutes or more and set aside
While waiting on peppers to finish:
-Heat a heavy bottom pot with 3 tbsp olive oil
-Salt the cubes of chuck liberally
-brown beef in pot just til it browns on the outside slightly, then remove and drain pot
-return pot to heat and add 3 tbsp olive oil over medium heat
-add bell peppers, shallots, garlic and half your diced onions, sweat down until they become translucent
-add chili powder and tomato paste, stir and cook for a minute or 2 until incorporated
-Add half a bottle of your beer to deglaze pot and cook down for 3-4 minutes on medium heat until alcohol is cooked off
CHILI PASTE:
-wash off the burnt skin of the poblanos and remove their stems/seeds and add them to your blender with your now softened ancho chilis
-add coffee, pinch of salt, half of the beans and chili flakes to blender
-blend on high into a smooth paste
ASSEMBLE:
-In your pot with the cooked veggies, add fresh tomatoes
-Add cooked chuck (and its juice)
-add chili paste
-put beef broth in your blender to get the rest of the chili paste out, then add to pot
-add rest of your whole beans
-Stir, cover pot and put on low heat for as long as you can (5 hours is best)
-Once it has cooked on low, remove from heat and add remaining onions
-Chop up the chocolate and add to pot
Stir and let rest for a few minutes before serving.
NOTE: If you can make a day in advance, it will come out even better after you refrigerate overnight and reheat on low the ext day!
ENJOY! I love adding corn bread crumbles and sour cream when serving!