Cowboy Chili

Cowboy Chili - Food, Fun, Whatever

Entered the 13th Annual Chili Cook-Off at the University for the first time in about five years – I won Best Chili that year.  Also, I am totally in love with my stove-top smoker so this year I wanted to do a Cowboy Chili – something that would taste like you were sitting right next to a campfire.  I didn’t win any of the categories but the chili was very good.

Cowboy Chili - Food, Fun, Whatever Cowboy Chili - Food, Fun, Whatever

First the brisket rub was inspired by Emeril’s Texas-Style Smoked Brisket – 2 Tbsp dark brown sugar  / 2 Tbsp chili powder / 2 Tbsp paprika / 1 Tbsp garlic powder / 1 Tbsp cayenne / 2 tsp dry mustard powder / 2 tsp ground cumin…

Cowboy Chili - Food, Fun, Whatever Cowboy Chili - Food, Fun, Whatever

.. rubbed into a 4 lb. beef brisket which was then wrapped tightly in plastic wrap and refrigerated overnight.

Cowboy Chili - Food, Fun, Whatever

 

Smoked in the stove-top smoker for 1-hour with hickory smoke then roasted in a 275-degree oven for 3-hours.  Cooled and then put into the fridge overnight.

 

 

Cowboy Chili - Food, Fun, Whatever

Now for the Cowboy Chili – Inspirational recipe: Williams-Sonoma Cowboy Beans: Ham hock / 1 medium yellow onion, diced / 1c Jack Daniels Hickory Brown Sugar BBQ Sauce / 2 Tbsp red wine vinegar / 2 Tbsp Dijon mustard / 1 Tbsp dry mustard / 1 Tbsp granulated garlic / 1 Tbsp chili powder / 6 cloves of garlic / 2c strong coffee

 

Cowboy Chili - Food, Fun, Whatever

 

Sauté diced onion, garlic, and jalapeño until onion is translucent. In the slow cooker, combine liquid ingredients, spices, onion mixture, and ham hock.

Cowboy Chili - Food, Fun, Whatever

 

Cook overnight on Low.

Cowboy Chili - Food, Fun, Whatever

 

 

 

 

In the morning, removed the ham hock and, once cool enough “pulled” the fork tender meat and returned it to the slow cooker.

Cowboy Chili - Food, Fun, Whatever

 

 

Cowboy Chili - Food, Fun, Whatever

 

 

 

 

Cowboy Chili - Food, Fun, Whatever

 

 

 

Took the smoked brisket, cut into cubes and added to the slow cooker.

 

Cowboy Chili - Food, Fun, Whatever

 

 

 

 

 

Cowboy Chili - Food, Fun, Whatever

 

Then added in rinsed and drained beans: Pinto beans, Black beans, and Great Northern Beans.  Let simmer on Low until the competition about 4 more hours minus transportation time.

 

Cowboy Chili - Food, Fun, Whatever

 

 

That’s me – Entry #5 – I topped the samples with Queso fresca (Mexican cheese)

Cowboy Chili - Food, Fun, Whatever

Cowboy Chili - Food, Fun, Whatever Cowboy Chili - Food, Fun, Whatever

There were six contestants

Cowboy Chili - Food, Fun, Whatever

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I wasn’t able to get pics of everyone – the winner of Spiciest had an Indian / Curried style chili that was a hit.

Cowboy Chili - Food, Fun, WhateverCowboy Chili - Food, Fun, Whatever

 

Most unusual was a pumpkin chili and a super yummy very traditional chili won Best Chili AND People’s Choice.  I didn’t get a chance to take a pic of my final bowl but it turned out very well.  It makes for a sweet chili that could have been a little thicker and a little hotter but was good and is definitely a recipe I’ll work on – maybe for next year’s competition.

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