Velvet Hammer Chili

Today I went down to the Borders on Wall Street and attended the book signing by Lee Child.  Don't get me wrong, I am not a big autograph hound.  In fact, I have only ever gotten 3 autographs in my life ("and why Burt Reynolds?" my friends ask with curiosity!).  It was rather embarrassing to be grinning from ear to ear but, I must say, it was a real treat meeting my favorite author.

In case you are not of the cognoscenti, the hero in the Lee Child books is a loner named Jack Reacher who is always in search of a great cup of coffee and a big meal in a diner. He is the perfect man, I would say: strong and silent, but willing to crack skulls for you in a pinch.  Also able to perform in the boudoir....need I say more?

Anyway, I loved the name of this coffee so much that I had to invent a recipe to name after it  - and now I am dedicating it to Lee Child and his alter-ego, Jack Reacher......

Velvet Hammer Chili

Ingredients

• I cup strongly brewed coffee
• 1 lb ground turkey (or beef, it's up to you)
• 1/2 large yellow onion, thinly sliced
• 6 Baby Bella mushrooms, quartered
• 1/4 cup black olives
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 8 oz can Fire Roasted Tomatoes with Green Chilies 
• (Note: I get that at Trader Joe's
• but if you can't, substitute a can of chopped tomatoes
• and a small can of green chilies)
• 1 small can  of plum tomatoes
• 1 can white kidney beans
• 1 tsp cumin
• 1 tsp chili powder
• 1 tsp smoked Spanish Paprika
• 1 tblsp Molasses
• 1 Bay leaf
• 1/2 tsp cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp sugar
• 1/2 tsp salt
• ground pepper
• 2-4 drops Habanero hot sauce (to taste)
• grated cheddar cheese
• sour cream or plain Greek yogurt

The cooking process is exceedingly simple - saute the onions and mushrooms until they are golden, then add the garlic.  In a separate frying pan, cook up the ground turkey (or beef) - strain out the liquid, and add the meat to the onion mixture.  Add the coffee and molasses.  Add all the spices, and tomatoes.  Bring to a boil and then simmer for about an hour.  At the last minute, correct the seasonings with the hot sauce, salt and pepper.   Serve in a big bowl and top with sour cream. or yogurt, and grated cheddar.  I think you should serve it with a nice corn bread and a big green salad.  Note to self: next time, best to cook on Friday night because of the beans!

I would like to find a stew that will give me heartburn immediately, instead of at three o'clock in the morning.  ~John Barrymore