FireBrewer
Assistant Brewer
I came up with this recipe in an effort to approximate Tony Packo's Chili Mac. Obviously, it's not the same but when you're 500 miles away you have to take matters into your own hands (literally!). My wife grew up in southeast MI and is no stranger to Tony Packo's and she swears by this.
Prep time: 30 mins
Cook time: 20 mins
Ready in: 50 mins
Spaetzle:
Prep time: 30 mins
Cook time: 20 mins
Ready in: 50 mins
Spaetzle:
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 6 eggs
- 3/4 cup milk
- 1 tsp white pepper
- 1-1/2 tsp salt
- 2 tsp dried basil
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- 1 15oz can tomato sauce
- 1 15.5oz can dark red kidney beans (optional)
- 1 small onion, diced (optional)
- 3/4 cup chopped green pepper (optional)
- 4 tsp chili powder
- 1 tbsp crushed red pepper
- 1 tbsp dried minced onion
- 1 tbsp dried minced garlic
- 2 tsp white sugar
- 2 tsp ground cumin
- 2 tsp dried parsley
- 2 tsp salt
- 1 tsp dried basil
- 1/4 tsp ground black pepper
- Brown ground beef and drain. Add all chili ingredients and bring to boil. Simmer on low, stirring occasionally.
- Meanwhile, bring about 1/2 gallon of water in a large stock pot to boil.
- Make the spaetzle by combining the flour, white pepper, salt and basil. Alternate adding beaten eggs and milk to dry ingredients, about 1/4 cup at a time. Mix well.
- Press dough through a spaetzle maker, cookie shooter, or place in a strong plastic bag with a few small holes poked in it into the boil, being careful not to add too much to the boil. Simmer for 5-7 minutes. Drain.
- When spaetzle is cooked, discard water, return spaetzle to stock pot and saute briefly to cook off excess water. Chop into small 1/2" pieces. Remove from heat.
- Serve chili over spaetzle and top with shredded cheddar cheese.