The Ultimate Chili from Leftover Prime Rib Roast

For some reason we're programmed to make chili from fresh beef - ground, cubed or otherwise but there's a whole plethora of possibilities out there with leftover roast beef, brisket or pot roast. Beef aside, just think  what can be done with leftover turkey, chicken or pork roast too. 

Last night I rescued a pound's worth of cubed cut up Christmas prime rib from the freezer and morphed it into an absolutely fine and I do mean fine pot of red. It all started with 4 slices of smoky bacon, chunked up and cooked slowly so it released some fat (and flavor). Then I added a couple of huge yellow onions, all diced up along with a slew of minced garlic and let it saute until soft. Joined by a collection of spices followed by a can of lager beer, diced tomatoes, a touch of tomato paste, a cup of beef stock and the best kept secret which is a secret no more -  barbecue sauce. After the beef joined the party I let the pot simmer for 30 minutes before I added two cans of drained and rinsed pinto beans. Another 15 minutes of brewing time and a star was born!

It's addictive! The flavor is absolutely amazing - smoky bacon, tender beef, the sweet spicy taste of barbecue sauce and of course the bite of chile. It really is sublime.

Speaking of stars - the Big Guy was seeing 'em up close and personal last night. I'm not sure if the beans were doing a dance or whether he was climbing a mountain or some such thing in his sleep, but about the time the old REM's were at their peak darned if he didn't fall right outa' bed with a mighty crash. Of course after I made sure he was alright and he got himself re-situated and fell back to sleep the whole event tickled my funny bone big time and I just couldn't stop laughing.  Wonder what he's gonna' do after he has another bowl of chili.

The Ultimate Chili from Leftover Prime Rib from JBug’s Kitchen Antics inspired by Fine Cooking

4 slices smoky bacon, diced

2 tablespoons olive oil

2 large yellow onions, diced

4 large cloves garlic, minced

2 tablespoons mild chili powder

1 tablespoon hot New Mexico chili powder

1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)

1 tablespoon ground cumin

1 tablespoon ground Mexican oregano

1 teaspoon kosher salt

1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

1 - 12 ounce can lager beer

1 – 28 ounce can diced tomatoes

2 tablespoons tomato paste

1/2 cup prepared barbecue sauce (I used Kraft original)

1 cup beef stock or beef consomme'

1 or 2 pounds leftover prime rib roast, cut into half inch dice

2 cans pinto beans, drained and rinsed

Garnishes – cubed cheese, chopped sweet onion, pickled jalapeno

Lime wedges

Heat a Dutch oven over medium low heat. Add olive oil and bacon, and cook stirring occasionally until bacon has released its fat and pieces are starting to crisp. Add onions and garlic and cook until onions are very soft – about 8 to 10 minutes. Add chili powders, cayenne, cumin, oregano, salt and pepper and cook stirring constantly for another 3 or 4 minutes. Add beef, tomatoes, tomato paste, barbecue sauce and beef stock. Bring to a boil, and then add beef. Lower to simmer and cook uncovered for 30 minutes. Add pinto beans and cook additional 15 minutes, stirring often. Serve with garnishes and a squeeze of lime. Serves 4 to 6.

A year ago - Ham and Cheese Quiche

Comments

[Sophia]

Oh my, that is just too funny June! I do hope nothing more than his pride was bruised.

Much love,
Sophia

[June]

One second he was there and the next he was gone ...I'm surprised he didn't knock himself out, but he's fine although now that I've mentioned it, I may have some 'splainin' to do. LOL LU2

[Lea]

Bless his heart...
That chili looks like it would warm up the coldest of people - and we are cold here - might have a freeze tonight!!!!!!

[June]

Lea - he's gonna' love all the sympathy. Boy, I see it is cold there isn't it. We've warmed up some so we'll send it your way. Meanwhile, I think you're right, chili, soup and gumbo might be in your future.

[Big guy]

Yup your likely to have some splainin' to do. Mostly about the continual giggling after it happened. That's what I get for being nice and trying to give you and Max some room. :-) Middle of the bed here I come.

[June]

I'll suggest to Max that he'd best quit laughing before you get home tonight. LU

[pam]

That does look good!! I can't believe he fell out of bed, i would have died laughing.

[June]

Pam - I darn near did. LOL

[Mary]

This sounds irresistibly good. Now if I had the beef I'd have a meal:-). This is a wonderful recipe and I'm sure I'd enjoy your chili. I hope you had a great holiday. Blessings...Mary

[Sarah Galvin (All Our Fingers in the Pie)]

Great thought! I am judging a chili cook-off in February and need all the ideas I can muster. I wonder if anyone will think of this?

[June]

Mary - I've made so many different kinds of it since we've lived here so close to the border of Mexico, but this is one of the few that has beans in it and tomatoes too come to think of it.

Sarah - there was a steakhouse here in Tucson that made their chili from leftover prime rib. We had it once and we were hooked. Unfortunately the restaurant didn't make it through the recession, but the chili lives on in our kitchen.

[Nancy]

I won't comment about the Big Guy's incident - but if you could see the smile on my face!!!

[June]

Tee,hee,hee. I imagine it's going to be one of the memories we'll roar about when we get old. Uh, just a minute. I guess we ARE old. LOL

[Lorraine]

Oh the poor guy (smiling here too), but at least he had a big bowl of chili to dream about when he got back to sleep. Speaking of which...looks great, and what a great use of the beef.

[June]

Lorraine - he's certainly rolling over in bed a little more carefully these days.