This delicious Jamie Oliver Happy Days Chilli Con Carne is a hearty and flavorful dish packed with spices and tender minced beef. With the addition of sun-dried tomatoes and kidney beans, it’s rich and comforting. Perfect for a quick family meal, it’s easy to adjust with whatever ingredients you have on hand!
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🧡 Why You’ll Love This Chilli Con Carne Recipe:
- Flavorful Depth: Jamie Oliver’s approach combines fresh ingredients and rich spices that create a deep, layered flavor, setting this chili apart from simpler versions.
- Versatility: This chili is versatile; you can enjoy it on its own, over rice, or with a slice of crusty bread. It’s perfect for a casual family dinner or serving at a gathering.
- Comforting Meal: It’s a hearty and comforting dish, ideal for cold days or whenever you need a warming meal that satisfies hunger thoroughly.
- Healthy Ingredients: Made with lean beef, fresh vegetables, and beans, this recipe is not only delicious but also packed with protein and fiber, making it a healthy option.
- Easy to Make: Despite its gourmet taste, this chili is surprisingly easy to prepare, with straightforward steps and common ingredients that are easy to find
🍗 Jamie Oliver Happy Days Chilli Con Carne Ingredients:
- 2 cans (15 ounces each, 800 grams total) of red kidney beans, drained
- 2 medium onions
- 1 clove of garlic
- 2 tablespoons of olive oil
- 2 teaspoons of chili powder
- 1 heaped teaspoon of ground cumin (or crushed cumin seeds)
- Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- 1 pound (455 grams) of minced chuck (ground beef)
- 7 ounces (200 grams) of sun-dried tomatoes in olive oil, drained
- 1 fresh red chili, deseeded and finely chopped
- 2 cans (28 ounces total or 800 grams) of chopped tomatoes
- 1/2 cinnamon stick
- 5 ounces (150 mL) of water
🍲 How To Make Jamie Oliver Happy Days Chilli Con Carne
- Prepare Ingredients: First, peel the onions and garlic. Use a food processor to finely chop them. This will help them cook faster and distribute their flavor evenly throughout the chili.
- Start Cooking: Next, heat the olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the chopped onions and garlic. Cook them until they become soft and translucent, which usually takes about 5 minutes.
- Season the Mixture: Then, add the chili powder, ground cumin, salt, and black pepper to the onions and garlic. Stir well to mix the seasonings in thoroughly.
- Brown the Meat: Add the minced chuck to the pot. Cook it until it’s no longer pink, stirring often. This should take about 8 to 10 minutes.
- Make the Tomato Paste: While the meat is cooking, put the sun-dried tomatoes and fresh red chili into the food processor. Blend them into a smooth paste.
- Combine All Ingredients: After the meat is browned, stir in the tomato-chili paste, chopped tomatoes, cinnamon stick, and water. Mix everything together well.
- Slow Cook: Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to low. Cover the pot with a lid. Let it simmer for about 1 and a half hours. If you’re using an oven, you can also bake the chili at 300 degrees F (150 degrees C). Make sure the pot is oven-safe, cover it with a lid or foil, and place it in the oven.
- Add the Beans: Thirty minutes before the end of cooking, add the drained red kidney beans to the chili. Stir well and continue to simmer. This adds a lovely texture and extra flavor to the chili.
- Finish and Serve: After cooking, remove the cinnamon stick. Check the seasoning and adjust it if needed. Serve the chili hot. It goes well with rice, bread, or a green salad.
💭 Recipe Tips:
- Choose Good Meat: Use fresh and good-quality minced beef because it makes the chili taste better and gives it a nice texture.
- Use Fresh Chili and Garlic: Always use fresh chili and garlic. They add more flavor to your dish, making it taste fresher and more delicious.
- Cook It Slow: Let your chili cook slowly for 1 and a half hours. This helps all the flavors mix well and makes the meat very tender.
- Check the Spices: Taste your chili before you put in the beans. Add more chili powder or cumin if you need to. This way, you can make sure it’s just right for you.
- Serve It Hot: Serve your chili while it’s hot. You can have it with rice, bread, or a salad. These sides go really well with the rich chili and make your meal complete.
🥑 What To Serve With Chilli Con Carne?
Chilli Con Carne pairs well with rice, crusty bread, tortilla chips, or a fresh green salad. It also can be served alongside sour cream, guacamole, grated cheese, or cornbread for a tasty and complete meal.
🎚 How To Store Leftovers Chilli Con Carne?
- Refrigerate: Store the chili con carne in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It will stay fresh for up to 3-4 days.
- Freeze: To freeze, let the chili cool completely. Then, transfer it to a freezer-safe container or bag. It can be frozen for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight before reheating.
🥵 How To Reheat Leftovers Chilli Con Carne?
- In The Oven: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Place the chili in an oven-safe dish and cover with foil. Heat for about 20-30 minutes or until warmed through.
- In The Microwave: Put the chili in a microwave-safe bowl. Cover it with a microwave-safe lid or plastic wrap. Heat on high for 2-3 minutes, stirring halfway through.
- On The Stove: Place the chili in a pot over medium heat. Stir occasionally and cook until it’s heated all the way through, about 10-15 minutes.
FAQ’S
Do I Need To Soak The Kidney Beans If I Use Dried Ones?
Yes, if you use dried kidney beans, soak them overnight and cook them separately before adding to the chili.
How Can I Thicken My Chili If It’s Too Watery?
If your chili is too watery, you can let it simmer uncovered for a while to reduce the liquid. Alternatively, you can add a tablespoon of tomato paste or mash some of the beans to thicken it.
Can I Use An Instant Pot Or Slow Cooker For This Recipe?
Yes, you can use an Instant Pot or slow cooker. For an Instant Pot, use the sauté function for the initial steps, then cook on high pressure for about 25 minutes. For a slow cooker, cook on low for 6-8 hours or high for 3-4 hours.
How To Cool Down Chili Con Carne?
If your chili con carne is too spicy, you can add a dollop of sour cream, a squeeze of lime juice, or a bit of sugar to balance the heat.
What Spices Go In Chili Con Carne?
For this recipe, you need chili powder and ground cumin. These spices give the chili its signature flavor and heat.
How To Make Chili Con Carne Gluten-free?
This recipe is naturally gluten-free as long as all canned ingredients and spices do not contain gluten.
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Jamie Oliver Happy Days Chilli Con Carne Nutrition Facts
Serving Size1 of 8 servings
- Calories: 256
- Total Fat: 8 g
- Saturated Fat: 2 g
- Carbohydrates: 31 g
- Dietary Fiber: 7 g
- Sugar: 14 g
- Protein: 21 g
- Cholesterol: 36 mg
- Sodium: 553 mg