Eight Bean Chili

• Ready In: 3 hrs 30 mins
• Serves: 25

Ingredients

• 1⁄4 lb dried kidney beans
• 1⁄4 lb dried white bean
• 1⁄4 lb dried pink beans
• 1⁄4 lb dried black beans
• 1⁄4 lb  dried red beans
• 1⁄4 lb dried pinto bean
• 1⁄4 lb cranberry beans
• 1⁄4 lb dried navy beans
• 1  lb bacon
• 5  large onions, peeled and chopped
• 2⁄3 cup  minced garlic
• 1⁄4 cup  toasted  coriander seed
• 1⁄4 cup ground cinnamon
• 1⁄4 cup paprika
• 1⁄4 cup cayenne pepper (or to taste for the timid of tongue)
• 1⁄2 cup  ground dried  poblano pepper
• 108  ounces Italian plum tomatoes, with juice
• 12  ounces beer
• 5  lbs lean ground beef
•  salt

Directions

1. In a large pot, soak the beans together overnight in water to cover.
2. Drain and add fresh water to cover.
3. Cook at a simmer for 1 1/2 hours or until beans are just tender.
4. While the beans are simmering, heat a large skillet.
5. Mince the bacon and cook it until it begins to crisp.
6. Add the onions and garlic and cook over medium heat for 5 minutes.
7. Add all the spices and the ground poblanos and cook another 5 minutes.
8. Add the tomatoes with their juice and the beer.
9. Simmer for half an hour.
10. In another pan, cook the beef until the pink color disappears.
11. Drain and add it to tomatoe mixture.
12. When the beans are fully cooked, drain them, reserving the liquid, and add the beans to the meat/tomato mixture.
13. Salt to taste and let the mixture simmer for about 1 hour.
14. If it is too dry, add some of the bean liquid.