Ingredients

• 3 ancho peppers
• 3 pasilla peppers
• 3 New Mexican dried peppers
• 2½ lb beef chuck cut into bite-sized cubes
• 2 tsp cumin
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• 2 Tb olive oil
• 1 medium white onion, chopped
• 3 jalapeno peppers, chopped
• 2 serrano peppers, chopped, optional for extra heat – use extra jalapenos for milder
• 4 garlic cloves, chopped
• 2 C beef stock, or use a dark beer
• 2½ C water, more as needed, or use chicken or beef stock, or beer
• 2 Tb masa harina corn flour, for thickening, if desired
• 1 Tb brown sugar
• 1 Tb Worcestershire

Instructions

Step 1

1. Start your chili paste first by lightly toasting the dried peppers in a dry pan about a minute or 2 per side. This will help to release the oils.
2. Remove from heat and cool enough to handle. Remove the stems and pour out the seeds.
3. Soak the peppers in hot water for 20 minutes, or until they are nice and soft.
4. Add them to a food processor with ½ to 1 C of the soaking water and a bit of salt, to taste
5. Process until nice and smooth. Set aside for now.

Step 2

1. Add the cubed beef to a large bowl and toss with the cumin and a bit of salt and pepper. Make sure everything is nice and coated.
2. Heat 1 Tb oil in a large pot and add the seasoned beef
3. Cook 6-7 minutes, searing the beef all over. Remove the beef and set aside.
4. Add the remaining olive oil along with the jalapenos, serranos and onion. Cook them down about 5 minutes.
5. Add the garlic and stir. Cook another minute.
6. Return the beef to the pot and stir in the reserved chili paste
7. Cook it for 2-3 minutes to let the flavor develop a bit.
8. Stir in the beef broth (or beer), 2 C of water, brown sugar, Worcestershire, and masa and bring to a quick boil. If you are using the optional additions.
9. Reduce the heat, cover and simmer for about 2 hours, or until the beef is very tender. It could take longer if you are using tougher cuts of beef.
10. Give it a stir once every 30 minutes or so. If it becomes too thick, add in a ¼ C of water and stir. Thicken with more masa.
11. Serve with your favorite fixins!