Chili Beans Portuguese Style

Margaret Costa’s beans to be exact! Margaret is my second cousin and I’m hoping she’ll forgive me for tweaking her recipe just a bit. Honestly, I just don’t cook for 10 to 20 people like Margaret did regularly. Again, the recipe calls for cinnamon. I’ve been questioned about the use of this spice in Portuguese bean recipes. I can assure you this spice was added to these recipes long before I began to cook. I explain the use on regional cooking to a fallback when other spices weren’t available. The originators of many of my Portuguese recipes are no longer living, and I just have no one to ask why they used cinnamon so liberally. It’s like all those photos with unrecognizable people. Why didn’t I ask when I could? I hope you will enjoy this very simple chili bean recipe that’s all about spices.

Recipe

Serves 6, or 8 as a side

2 Tablespoons olive oil
1 Large yellow onion-chopped
1 Pound 90% lean hamburger
2 Cloves garlic-minced
2 Tablespoons Hatch Chile Powder (Chili powder can be used. Just be aware this is a combination of spices. I prefer to use chile powder, any good chile powder will work.)
1/2 to 1 Teaspoon cinnamon
1 Teaspoon cumin
1 Teaspoon dried oregano leaves
1/4 Teaspoon cayenne pepper (more if you like hot)
1 Pound dry pinto beans-remove stones and rinse, no need to presoak
6 Cups water
2 Teaspoons salt

In a dutch oven (about a 4 quart) heat olive oil over medium high heat and sauté the onion until almost limp.

Add the hamburger a little at a time as not to lower heat. Use a spoon to break up the hamburger into small bits. Cook until it loses its color.

Add the garlic along with the spices (no salt yet). Turn heat to medium and thoroughly mix in spices until melted into meat mixture.

Stir in water and beans. Bring to a simmer.

Turn heat to low and cover. Cook until beans are tender. About 3 hours. Check along the way. Add salt when beans are just about done.

If the beans look dry in the cooking process add more water as needed. To thicken the chili use a fine ground cornmeal if desired (1-4 T) or simply remove lid and cook down.

Hope you enjoy!!