1tablespoonvinegar - balsamic or apple cider (optional)
Instructions
Heat 3 tablespoons vegetable oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add 1-1/2 cups chopped onions. Cook until softened for 2-3 minutes.
Add 2 teaspoons table or sea salt, 2 teaspoons ground coriander, 4 teaspoons ground cumin, 1 teaspoon ground oregano, and 6 tablespoons chili powder. Cook until the spices are fragrant. Stir often so they won't burn.
Add 4 cloves garlic, chopped and cook for 1 more minute.
Turn up the heat to medium and add 3 pounds ground beef, and 1 pound ground pork, to the pot and brown. Season with the remaining teaspoon of salt and 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground pepper.
Add 2 28-oz cans peeled and diced tomatoes and 4 bay leaves. If you want the tomatoes to disappear into the chili, crush them with your hands or use a potato masher. Or put them in the blender for a few seconds.
Simmer chili for 1 hour. Two hours is even better.
Remove bay leaves and stir in 2 tablespoons corn masa until smooth; then add 2 ounces semi-sweet chocolate baking bar.
Optional: Add 1 tablespoon vinegar.
Continue simmering for 10 more minutes to combine flavors.
Freezes well.
Notes
If you don’t have corn masa hanging around the house and don’t want to buy it for just two tablespoons, you can substitute flour or even leave it out. Add flour along with the spices before the hour-long simmer.
Fresh onions can be substituted for the frozen. I prefer frozen because they are milder and easier on the digestive system after the freezing process-and they’ve never made me cry.
Step up the heat by adding hot sauce, chopped jalapenos, or some chopped chipotles.
I like to add beans to my chili when eating it straight in a bowl. Some would scoff, but they probably wouldn’t add tomatoes either.
This chili is even better the next day which will also give you a chance to remove any congealed fat off the top that you don't want.
If this chili is too rich for you, add 2-3 cups of water or more tomatoes. It will be more like "Wendy's chili" if you've ever tried that.
Substitute 8 ounces of chocolate hummus for the masa and chocolate bar.