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Chill-Chasing Chili

Chili Con Carne, Smoky Chipotle Chili, Santa Fe Corn Chili, Chili Meatball Stew and Skillet Chili Topper

(Family Features) - A steaming bowl of beef chili is a favorite way to chase away winter's chill. These five easy recipes offer a chili choice for every taste bud. Each begins with either ground beef, pieces of beef chuck or fully-cooked beef meatballs, simmered with tomatoes and zesty ingredients to give the chilis their own special flavor.

Del Monte diced tomatoes provide fresh tomato taste to each recipe. For a quick flavor "kick," try the seasoned tomato varieties. Not only do they enhance the chili with big flavors, they are also timesavers for today's busy cook - fewer ingredients to purchase and to measure! Choose diced tomatoes with green peppers and onions, zesty mild green chilies or garlic and onions - all pair perfectly with beef!

It's "chili" tonight - enjoy your favorite!

Chili Con Carne
For fork-tender beef, gently simmer the chili in a tightly covered pan - no peeking!
Total preparation and cooking time: 2-1/2 hours

2-1/2 pounds boneless beef chuck pot roast
3 tablespoons ancho chili powder or chili powder, divided
2 tablespoons vegetable oil, divided
1 teaspoon salt
1-1/2 cups chopped onion (1 medium)
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 yellow bell pepper, chopped
1 green bell pepper, chopped
2 cans (14-1/2 ounces each) Del Monte Diced Tomatoes, undrained
1 teaspoon unsweetened cocoa powder
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Fresh cilantro leaves and lime wedges

Cut beef into 1/2-inch pieces; sprinkle with 1 tablespoon chili powder and toss to coat. Heat 1 tablespoon oil in Dutch oven over medium heat until hot; brown beef in batches and remove from Dutch oven. Season with salt.
Heat 1 tablespoon oil in same Dutch oven over medium heat. Add onion and garlic; cook and stir 3 to 4 minutes or until tender. Add bell peppers; cook and stir 2 minutes. Add beef, tomatoes, 2 tablespoons chili powder, cocoa powder and cinnamon; bring to boil. Reduce heat; cover tightly and simmer 1-1/2 to 1-3/4 hours or until beef is fork-tender. Serve with cilantro and lime wedges.

Makes 6 to 8 servings.

Smoky Chipotle Chili
Diced tomatoes with green peppers add color and flavor accents to this subtly smoky beef chili.
Total preparation and cooking time: 2-1/2 hours

2-1/2 pounds boneless beef chuck pot roast
2 tablespoons vegetable oil, divided
1 teaspoon salt
3 cloves garlic, minced
2 cans (14-1/2 ounces each) Del Monte Diced Tomatoes with Green Peppers and Onions, undrained
1 bottle (12 ounces) beer
2 tablespoons adobo sauce from chipotle peppers
1 tablespoon minced chipotle peppers in adobo sauce
1 can (15 ounces) black beans, rinsed, drained
3 tablespoons masa harina*
Dairy sour cream

Cut beef into 1/2-inch pieces. Heat 1 tablespoon oil in Dutch oven over medium heat until hot; brown beef in batches and remove from Dutch oven. Season with salt.
Heat 1 tablespoon oil in same Dutch oven over medium heat. Add garlic; cook and stir 1 minute. Add beef, tomatoes, beer, adobo sauce and chipotle peppers; bring to boil. Reduce heat; cover tightly and simmer 1-1/2 to 1-3/4 hours or until beef is fork-tender.
Stir in beans and masa harina; return to boil. Reduce heat; simmer 1 to 2 minutes or until slightly thickened. Serve with sour cream.

Makes 6 to 8 servings.

*Three tablespoons all-purpose flour mixed with 1/2 cup water can be substituted for masa harina.

Santa Fe Corn Chili
Colorful and quick, this simple, satisfying chili gets a flavor boost from diced tomatoes with zesty mild green chilies.
Total preparation and cooking time: 30 minutes

1 pound ground beef
1 large clove garlic, minced
1 can (15-1/2 ounces) red kidney beans, drained
1 can (15-1/4 ounces) Del Monte Whole Kernel Corn, drained
1 can (15 ounces) tomato sauce
1 can (14-1/2 ounces) Del Monte Diced Tomatoes with Zesty Mild Green Chilies, undrained
1 package (1-1/4 ounces) chili seasoning mix

Topping:
3/4 cup dairy sour cream
1-1/2 teaspoons green hot pepper sauce

Brown ground beef with garlic in large nonstick skillet over medium heat 6 minutes or until beef is not pink, breaking beef into small crumbles. Pour off drippings.
Stir in beans, corn, tomato sauce, tomatoes and chili seasoning; bring to boil. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, 20 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Meanwhile combine sour cream and pepper sauce in small bowl. Serve with chili.

Makes 4 servings.

Chili Meatball Stew
So easy for a busy weeknight dinner. Keep the ingredients on hand for this family-pleasing 20-minute meal.
Total preparation and cooking time: 20 minutes

1 package (1 pound) frozen fully-cooked beef meatballs
2 cans (14-1/2 ounces each) Del Monte Diced Tomatoes with Garlic and Onion, undrained
1 can (15-1/2 ounces) mild chili beans in chili sauce
1 cup canned tomato juice
1 teaspoon chipotle chili powder or chili powder
1 package (16 ounces) frozen stew vegetables

Combine meatballs, tomatoes, beans, juice and chili powder in Dutch oven; bring to boil. Reduce heat; simmer uncovered 5 minutes.
Stir in frozen vegetables; bring to boil. Reduce heat; simmer 8 minutes or until meatballs are heated through and vegetables are tender, stirring occasionally.

Makes 4 to 6 servings.

Skillet Chili Topper
Great spooned over burgers, potatoes or polenta, or use it as a filling for tacos, burritos, enchiladas - your choice!
Total preparation and cooking time: 30 minutes

1 pound ground beef
1-1/2 cups chopped onion (1 medium)
1 tablespoon chili powder
1 jar (16 ounces) thick-and-chunky salsa
1 can (14-1/2 ounces) Del Monte Diced Tomatoes with Zesty Mild Green Chilies, undrained

Brown ground beef with onion in large nonstick skillet over medium heat 8 to 10 minutes or until beef is not pink, breaking beef into small crumbles. Pour off drippings.
Add chili powder; cook and stir 1 minute. Stir in salsa and tomatoes; bring to boil. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, 10 minutes or until liquid is evaporated, stirring occasionally.

Makes 4 servings.

Look for additional beef recipes, plus cooking timetables and helpful hints on www.beef.org

For more product information and recipes made with Del Monte Tomatoes, visit www.delmonte.com

SOURCE: Del Monte Tomato Products
National Cattlemen's Beef Association & Cattlemen's Beef Board