Chinese Chili (Sichuan Style)

Ingredients

• 16 Chinese Facing Heaven chili peppers
• 16 Chinese Red Lantern chili peppers
• 1 1/2 tablespoons Sichuan peppercorns
• 2 teaspoons cumin powder
• 2 teaspoons dried oregano
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 tablespoon olive oil ((or vegetable oil))
• 1 yellow onion (, minced)
• 5 cloves garlic (, coarsely chopped)
• 2 lbs ground beef
• 4 tablespoons Doubanjiang
• 1 can (28-oz can) canned diced tomatos
• 1 cup canned tomato sauce ((or 2 tablespoons tomato paste))
• 2 tablespoons Shaoxing wine
• 1 tablespoon soy sauce
• 1 cup beef broth
• 2 can (14-oz can) kidney beans (, drained)
• Finely chopped cilantro
• Cubed avocado or sour cream
• Steamed rice

Instructions

1. 1

   --- Make the chili paste (Footnote 1) ---

2. 2

   Toast the Sichuan peppercorns in a small saucepan over medium heat until you can smell the fragrance and the Sichuan peppercorns turn a little darker. Transfer the peppercorns to a small bowl and set aside.

3. 3

   Soak the chili peppers in 2 cups of hot water until softened, 15 minutes or so. Use your fingers to press the air out from the chili peppers so they soak evenly. Once soaked, remove the tough stems of the chili peppers and discard them.

4. 4

   Combine the soaked chili peppers, Sichuan peppercorns, cumin powder, dried oregano, and salt in a blender or in a tall glass and use an immersion blender. Add 1/2 cup of the pepper soaking water without adding the residue at the bottom. Blend until it forms a fine paste.

5. 5

   --- Cook ---

6. 6

   Heat oil in a 5.5 quart dutch oven over medium heat and add the yellow onion. Cook and stir until the onion just starts to soften, 5 minutes or so. Add the garlic and stir a few times to release fragrance.

7. 7

   Use your spatula to move the onion to the edge of the pan and add the ground beef in the center. Add the Doubanjiang. Let cook for a minute without moving. Then stir with a spatula to break the meat into smaller pieces and coat with the Doubanjiang. Cook, stirring frequently, until the meat is cooked and turns into small pieces.

8. 8

   Add the chili paste. Cook and stir for 2 minutes.

9. 9

   Add the diced tomato, tomato sauce, Shaoxing wine, and soy sauce. Cook and stir for 2 minutes.

10. 10

    Add the beef broth. Cook until bringing to a simmer. Turn to medium-low heat. Simmer, covered, until the beef turns soft, 30 minutes.

11. 11

    Add the kidney beans and stir to mix well. Cook for another 5 minutes. Taste the chili carefully and add more salt if needed.

12. 12

    Serve the chili over steamed rice. Garnish with chopped cilantro and avocado, if using. Serve as a main course.

13. 13

    --- Store ---

14. 14

    Store the leftover chili in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days or in the freezer for up to 1 month. Reheat in the microwave or on the stovetop. The beans will continue to absorb liquid during storage. You can add a splash of broth before reheating to bring back the original texture.