Curious Chili

This takes a basic chili recipe and replaces the Tex-Mex spicing with curry paste. It made for a nice novelty chili. The curry paste recipe which I borrowed is below and made a cup or two. You could try the store stuff, if you want to cut out a little bit of time.

Heat oil in Dutch oven. Cook a large chopped up onion in oil until starting to get soft. Add curry paste and a small amount of molasses and cook until fragrant. Pour in a can of chicken broth. Add in a chuck-eye roast, trimmed and cut into 3/4 inch cubes. Add a bottle of IPA beer. Bring to a simmer. Cover and transfer to the oven (300) and cook for 1.5 - 2 hours. I had extra cilantro from the paste and sprinkled that on top just before serving.

Notes:
I probably should have browned the beef first, but I was in a bit of a hurry. If you do, deglaze the skillet with a bit of the broth or lager and add with the beef.

I wanted to use peanuts as a bean substitute, but this was for a potluck and I was worried about allergies, so I just served some on the side. Feel free to add some with the beef.

Revisit:
 I made this again a year later, but went with the store bought curry, which was fine.  I also decided to go ahead with the peanuts and just put a sign up that it contained nuts.  The peanuts were alright, but I think I put them in too late and they were not soft.  Try again another year.
 
Red Curry Paste
Grind together in a food processor the following:
12 small red chilies, chopped (I actually used 6 of the red ball chilies)
3 cloves garlic, crushed
1 stem lemongrass, chopped
1 small onion or a shallot, chopped
1 t ginger, chopped
1 T cilantro
large pinch of cumin
1 t shrimp paste (which I didn't have and skipped with no qualms)
2 T oil

Apple Oatmeal

We have a jug of apple cider left over from a recipe that required a cup. Since we never get around to drinking it, I have been trying to incorporate it in other recipes. This took about 10 minutes to make, so nice for a quick breakfast. Very sweet. Although, if you really want to go over the top, some ice cream on the top would be really good!

Put two cups of cider in a measuring cup and put in the microwave until steaming, around 6 minutes. Meanwhile put a pot on the stove over medium heat with a bit of butter. While melting, peel and cut up an apple. Cook in butter with some brown sugar and cinnamon. Pour in hot cider and bring to a boil. Add a cup of oatmeal and cook for five minutes. Serves two.