Elk Chile Colorado
“They” say the same ingredient that make a chile hot (capsaicin) also makes it slightly habit-forming. And be careful on choosing your chiles – don’t just pick any kind. This recipe calls for a few different kinds that you might not find at your local general grocer. So expand your horizons and find new chiles!
Elk Chile Colorado
Ingredients
- 6 -8 New Mexico dry chiles washed and stems removed
- 2 pounds elk meat cut into 1-inch cubes
- 1 large onion chopped
- 2 Anaheim peppers chopped
- 6 garlic cloves finely minced
- 1 28-ounce can tomatoes, diced
- 2 7-ounce each cans whole mild green (Anaheim) chilies, chopped
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano leaves
- 2 cups beef broth
- salt and pepper to taste
- flour tortillas warm
- shredded cheese
- salsa
- shredded lettuce
Instructions
- Place chiles in a small saucepan with 2 1/2 cups water. Bring to a boil, remove from heat and steep chiles for 30 minutes. Place softened chiles and about 1/2 cup of the liquid in a food processor or blender. Process until smooth, adding additional liquid if necessary to puree. Pass mixture through a strainer to remove seeds and any bits of skin.
- Heat oil in a large saucepan over medium-high heat. Add meat and brown evenly.
- Add onion, peppers and garlic and cook until onions are translucent.
- Add tomatoes, canned chilies, oregano, beef broth and processed chiles. Cover and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low and simmer for 2 hours or until meat is tender. While cooking, make sure that there is always enough liquid to barely cover meat. When done, season to taste with salt and pepper.
- To serve, ladle chile into bowls and serve with flour tortillas, cheese, salsa and lettuce on the side. Guests can spoon chile onto tortillas and add desired toppings. Chile may also be eaten out of the bowl.