Charlie’s Incredible, Edible Chili!

We all have one, a recipe written on a scrap sheet of paper, an index card, or, as in this case, a letter from a brother whom I never got to see but whose chili taste I can still remember after over fifty years. Charlie retired from the U.S. Navy and worked for the U.S. Post Office, until he ‘reported to his Supreme Commander’, as he would say in anticipation.

The following from my brother Charlie is just as he wrote it to me on seven (7) sheets of 5”x8” yellow legal pad paper, on January 24, 2011, after only 37 years of my pestering him for it!

Charlie wrote, “All of the ingredients for this recipe can be mixed together and refrigerated overnight. Of course, the pinto beans should be soaked overnight before cooking.

I guess I should have said all but the pinto beans!

This recipe requires a very large stock pot. It will feed enough for a Super Bowl Party!

I have found that prepping everything the day before serving makes it easier and more relaxing to cook. Prep dishes can then be washed and put away before the cooking is done, and it leaves a lot of space in your kitchen for preparation of cornbread and whatever else you want to go with it. A very large stainless steel bowl or a very large mixing- bowl will suffice for refrigerated mixed ingredients. Cover, of course, while in the fridge!

As with all recipes, you can make this the first time and adjust ingredients according to personal taste.

A word of warning about flatulism! Failure to use the cilantro may be hazardous to your health! Bean-o is also a good deterrent to this condition!

This is the first time I have written this recipe. I think in terms of dashes and dollops, so I will try to translate into spoons, ounces, and whatever else I can come to terms with.

One more thing, the refrigerated mixture has only one ingredient that is cooked the night before, the meat.

[Another] one more thing: frozen leftover chili is a great ingredient for chili-cheese enchiladas sometime down the road.

Keep this letter with the recipe, as it is important to the recipe itself. Also, feel free to share this with friends and family!

Luv You (Sheesh) Love Ya! Your brother” Charlie continued with the recipe.

“PINTO BEANS 1½ TO 2 /bs. Sort and soak overnight.

GROUND MEAT 2 lbs. or GROUND MEAT 1 lb, and STEW MEAT 1 /b. or GROUND MEAT 1-½ lbs. and STEW MEAT 1 lb. (Last one is my preference) Almost forgot, stew meat should be ¾” to 1” cubed.

Cook ground meat and drain grease and/or braze stew meat and drain grease, if any..

Cool and mix with other ingredients to go in the fridge overnight.

WHITE ONION 1 large, chopped GREEN BELL PEPPER 1 large, chopped STEWED TOMATOES 14.5 or 15 oz. x 2 cans - Do not drain. Use scissors to cut tomatoes a little more.

RANCH STYLE BEANS 15 oz. can x 1can. Do not drain.

DICED GREEN CHILIS - 1 small can - Do not drain.

TOMATO SAUCE 14.5 oz. can CILANTRO - FRESH1 cup chopped, no stems. Maybe ¾ cups ???

A-I SAUCE - 2 tablespoons?

WORCESTERSHIRE SAUCE - 2 tablespoons?

GARLIC POWDER generous sprinkle. 1 tablespoon?

CHILI POWDER same as garlic powder KRAFT BARBEQUE SAUCE - 3 or 4 tablespoons CHILI SEASONING MIX - 2 packets. You know, like brown gravy mix or turkey gravy mix found in seasonings aisle at grocery stores.

SALT and PEPPER Add some to beans while cooking, not too heavy! Then add to taste when chili is almost done.

Prepare all ingredients listed above (except salt, pepper, and beans). Mix together and refrigerate overnight.

COOK DAY! Cook pinto beans after having soaked overnight. Drain soak water and add fresh water for cooking. Bring to a boil then lower temperature and simmer for about 90 minutes.

After 90 minutes: Drain excess bean stock into another pot. Do not lose it! Bring the stock level in the cookpot down close to beans.

Add the mixed ingredients to beans and bring back to a simmer. Use excess beans stock to make chili thinner or thicker in consistency. Add even more water, if necessary, but not too much!

Cook for another 45 minutes or so, until the beans are tender. Season to taste, if you want to!

Okay!! So I don’t know how to write a recipe!! Deal with it!!!

Love, Me” (Charlie)