Chili

I made this recently and my friend Rachel really liked it so I am trying to post the recipe best I can. I eyeballed all the beans so it is hard to say how much of everything I put in.

Kidney beans (this recipe assumes hard beans and not from a can)
Black beans
Pinto beans
White beans
Ground turkey (you could use beef)
Dried Ancho chili's (any dried chili's will do)
Onions
Garlic
Chicken or beef broth
Tomato Sauce
Bay leaves

Soak the beans overnight if possible. Drain the water. Put the beans in a crock pot (or in a heavy pot over the stove if you will be around to keep an eye on it so the liquid level never gets low). Cover the beans with the broth. If you have them, put two bay leaves in the water. Add garlic to taste (I usually put 5 cloves). Let simmer for a really long time (if in a crock pot it will probably take four hours, if in a pot it will be about half that time). Make sure the liquid never gets too low or you will have burnt half cooked beans!

Meanwhile, take your dried chili's and make a chili paste. Take out the stems and seeds and wash the chilis in cold water. While you are doing this, boil some water. Using a hot iron pan (if you have one, if not a regular pan will do) toast the chilis until fragrant (not much more than a minute each side, maybe less if they are smaller). Put the toasted chilis in a heat proof vessel (like a bowl with a lid or a pyrex measuring implement). Pour boiling water over them and let them sit for a spell. Once the water is cool drain the water and put the chilis in a food processor or blender. You will need to add some water, dash of salt and a dab of vinegar (i like rice wine vinegar). Puree the chilis. This will be the base of the chili.

Relax and read a book for awhile.

When the beans are still hard but on the verge of turning soft add the chili paste to the chili and take out the bay leaves if possible. Depending on the heat of the chili, you may need less or more of the paste. Try a little at first and then add as it simmers and you decide you want it spicier. Add a can of tomato paste or sauce. At this point you will need to turn down the burner if you are not using a slow cooker.

In a separate pan, brown the onions that you have by now chopped to desired thickness (I like mine small). Once they are pretty soft add the ground turkey and let cook until turkey is well cooked. Add any other spices you think would be good (salt will most likely need to be added at some point, to taste). Add the cooked onions and ground turkey to the beans.

Everything should be coming together now. If you need more liquid for more time to cook the beans, add broth. If you need it to be thicker, add paste or keep boiling it until it reduces. Taste it for salt, pepper and chili flavor/heat.

Jimmy loves it with a little corn bread right in the bottom of the bowl! Add sour cream or cheese on top if desired.