A Red Chili Nightmare

Ingredients

Amount		Ingredient	Preparation
1	cup	pinto beans	dried
5	cups	water
2	teaspoons	lard
1	teaspoon	bacon drippings
1	each	onion
12	ounces	pork sausage	country-style
1	pound	beef	coarse grind
4	each	garlic cloves
1	teaspoon	star anise
1/2	teaspoon	coriander seeds
1/2	teaspoon	fennel seeds
1/2	teaspoon	cloves	ground
1	each	cinnamon stick	ground, 1 inch
1	teaspoon	black pepper	freshly ground
1	x	black pepper	freshly ground
1	teaspoon	paprika
1	each	nutmeg	ground,whole
1	teaspoon	cumin
2	teaspoons	oregano	dried,pref. mexican
4	teaspoons	sesame seeds
1	cup	almonds	blanched, skins remov
12	each	red chili peppers	hole dried or
1/2	cup	chile pepper	hot, caribbean
2	ounces	milk chocolate	mall pieces
6	ounces	tomato paste
2	teaspoons	vinegar
3	teaspoons	lemon juice
1	each	flour tortillas	soft,chopped
1	x	salt	to taste

Directions

1. Place the rinsed beans in a bowl, add 2 to 3 cups of water and soak
overnight. Check the beans occasionally and add water as necessary to keep
them moist.

2. Pour the beans and the water in which they were soaked into a heavy
saucepan and add 2 to 3 more cups of water. Bring to a boil over
medium-high heat, then lower heat and simmer, partially covered, for about
45 minutes, until the beans are cooked but still firm. Check occasionally
and add water if necessary. Drain the beans, reserving the cooking liquid.

3. Melt the lard in a heavy skillet over medium heat. Add the beans and
lightly fry them in the lard. Set aside.

4. Melt the drippings in a large heavy pot over medium heat. Add the onion
and cook until it is translucent.

5. Combine the sausage and the beef with all the spices up through the
oregano. Add this meat-and-spice mixture to the pot with the onion. Break
up any lumps with a fork and cook, stirring occasionally, until the meat is
very well browned.

6. Add the reserved bean-cooking liquid to the pot. Stir in all the
remaining ingredients. Bring to a boil, then lower the heat and cook,
uncovered, for 1/2 hour longer. Stir occasionally. Add water only if
necessary to maintain the consistency of a chunky soup.

7. Taste when curiosity becomes unbearable and courage is strong. Adjust
seasonings.