Ingredients
- CHILI
- 6 large dried ancho chiles* (about 3 ounces), stemmed, seeded, coarsely torn
- 6 ounces bacon, diced
- 1¼ pounds onions, chopped (about 4 cups)
- 1 5-pound flat-cut (also called first-cut) beef brisket, cut into 2½- to 3-inch cubes
- Coarse kosher salt
- 6 large garlic cloves, peeled
- 2 tablespoons chili powder
- 2 teaspoons cumin seeds
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon ground coriander
- 1½ teaspoons coarse kosher salt
- 1½ 10-ounce cans fire-roasted diced tomatoes with green chiles (1¾ cups)
- 1 12-ounce bottle Mexican beer
- 1 7-ounce can diced roasted green chiles
- ½ cup finely chopped fresh cilantro stems
- 4 cups 1½- to 2-inch chunks seeded peeled butternut squash (from 3½-pound squash)
- GARNISHES
- Fresh cilantro leaves
- Chopped red onion
- Diced avocado
- Shredded Monterey Jack cheese
- Warm corn and/or flour tortillas
Instructions
- CHILI
- Place chiles in medium bowl. Pour enough boiling water over to cover. Soak until chiles soften, at least 30 minutes and up to 4 hours.
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Sauté bacon in heavy large ovenproof pot over medium-high heat until beginning to brown. Add onions. Reduce heat to medium; cover and cook until tender, about 5 minutes. Sprinkle beef all over with coarse salt and pepper. Add to pot; stir to coat. Set aside.
- Drain chiles, reserving soaking liquid. Place chiles in blender. Add 1 cup soaking liquid, garlic, chili powder, cumin seeds, oregano, coriander, and 1½ teaspoons coarse salt; blend to puree, adding more soaking liquid by ¼ cupfuls if very thick. Pour puree over brisket in pot. Add tomatoes with juices, beer, green chiles, and cilantro stems. Stir to coat evenly.
- Bring chili to simmer. Cover and place in oven. Cook 2 hours. Uncover and cook until beef is almost tender, about 1 hour. Add squash; stir to coat. Roast uncovered until beef and squash are tender, adding more soaking liquid if needed to keep meat covered, about 45 minutes longer. Season chili to taste with salt and pepper. Tilt pot and spoon off any fat from surface of sauce. DO AHEAD Can be made 2 days ahead. Cool 1 hour. Chill uncovered until cold, then cover and keep chilled.
- GARNISHES
- Set out garnishes in separate dishes. Rewarm chili over low heat. Ladle chili into bowls and serve.
- *Available at many supermarkets and at specialty foods stores and Latin markets