Chile Colorado

One of my favored ways of using my homemade Red Chile Sauce is in Chile Colorado.  Chile Colorado is made with chunks of beef, red chili sauce and just a few other simple ingredients.  Unadulterated, pure form of the dish we know in the United States as Chili.
You can use stew meat cubes from the market, or cut  your own from Chuck Steak or any of the less expensive cuts of beef; those which benefit from a long, slow cooking time.
The method is much the same for making beef stew. (I usually make mine in a pressure cooker, but you can make it in a traditional pot on the stovetop as well.)
Here's the method:
Heat a little vegetable oil in a heavy pot until quite hot, season the meat cubes with salt and pepper and brown in batches (don't crowd or the meat won't brown properly.) Turn occasionally so the cubes of meat are evenly browned on all sides.  Remove the browned meat to a large plate or platter and repeat until all the meat is browned.
Add a large white or yellow onion (diced) to the pan, and cook until translucent, you may add a minced clove of garlic (or two) at the end of cooking time. Place the meat back in the pot, add some of the red chili sauce (a cup or three, depending upon how much meat you have), and add enough water or beef broth to just cover the meat.
Bring to a boil, reduce heat to barely a simmer and place lid on pan (slightly askew so steam can escape), and slowly simmer for 2 hours, stirring occasionally, until beef is almost fall-apart tender. Add more liquid if during the cooking time if it is evaporating too quickly.
At the finish you want enough chili 'gravy' to generously coat the meat, with some extra to serve with rice and tortillas, if desired.


I truly like this better than chile con carne!

I usually serve this with sliced avocados, a few slices of lime, rice and beans; and any other condiments you like.
I always offer pinto beans from the pressure cooker, cookedwith just a chopped onion, a little garlic, salt and pepper and water, cook until tender.


Hope you enjoy!