Idaho Beef and Black Bean Chili

This is my first attempt of cooking for a community event, and hang on, it's a Chili Contest! And best of all, I won the contest! I got lots of raves and high fives so I am feeling pretty dang good about my recipe. The extra point came with the "Toasted Cumin Crema" sour cream topping I made to go with it. It was a VERY rainy October day, but the clouds cleared up long enough for people to enjoy the Harvest Fest from about 10 til 1. Then, the skies opened up and buckets of rain fell. I was out of chili, and chilled to the bone, so I headed home.

Idaho Black Bean and Beef Chili with Toasted Cumin Crema

1/4 cup olive oil
2 lbs ground beef
1 large onion, finely diced
3 stalks celery, finely chopped
4 gloves garlic, finely chopped
3 T. Ancho chili powder
1 T. ground cumin
1 large can chicken stock
1 (16 oz.) canned chopped tomatoes
1 small can chilpotle peppers, pureed
1 6 oz. can tomato paste
1 T. Honey
2 cans black beans, rinsed and drained
2 cans pinto beans, rinsed and drained
2 T. fresh lime juice
Toasted Cumin Crema

Brown ground beef in olive oil, season w/salt and pepper.
Transfer to a bowl, and reserve all but 3 tablespoons of the fat from the pan.
Add the onions, celery, garlic, cook until soft.
Add the ancho chili powder, and cumin and cook 2 more minutes.
Add the chicken broth and cook until completely reduced, about 20 minutes.
Return the beef to the pot, and the tomatoes, tomato paste, chipolte puree, and honey, bring to a boil.
Reduce heat to medium and simmer 45 minutes.
Add the beans and cook 15 minutes. Remove from heat, add the lime juice and adjust seasonings.

Serve with a dollop of Toasted Cumin Crema

Toasted Cumin Crema
1 T. cumin seed
1 cup Mexican crema or creme fraiche (I preferred the refrigerated crema found at Winco)
Salt & Pepper

Place the cumin seed in a small saute pan over medium heat.
Toast until lightly golden brown.
Place in a small bowl.
Stir in crema, and season with salt and pepper to taste.
Serve in a small bowl with small spoon, or a squeeze bottle.