Hearty Chasen’s Chili with Beans was a Celebrity Favorite

Hearty Chasen’s Chili recipe supposedly came from the famous Chasen’s Restaurant in Hollywood, CA.

Back in the 1970’s my mother got a copy of this recipe. The recipe claimed that it was the same one that Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton had flown to them on the set of Cleopatra.

I don’t know if this is the actual recipe they used, but I know it is a good one with modifications.

First, swap the butter for olive or canola oil. Save the butter for baking when you can actually taste it. And use less oil. You need very little oil (1 to 2 tablespoons) to keep the meat from sticking initially when you are browning it.

I usually do not use a 6:1 ratio of meat to beans, more like 2:1 or 1:1. I make this as an “eating” chili, so I want the beans in it. If it were making it as a chili to put on top of things (fries, hot dogs, etc.), I’d use the reduced amount of beans or omit them. But, that’s how I like it, do what you and your family likes.

You are welcome to use canned beans, or a quick soaking method if you don’t think about it the night before. Cover the beans in water, bring to a boil, cook for 2 minutes then turn off the heat. Let them soak for 1-2 hours and then proceed with the recipe.

And of course, we always serve this with Cast Iron Skillet Cornbread.

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Chasen’s Chili

Chasen's Chili is a hearty meaty chili with beans supposedly made at the famous Chasen's Restaurant in Hollywood. 

Ingredients

• 1/2 lb pinto beans
• 5 cups canned tomatoes
• 1 lb green bell pepper chopped
• 1 1/2 tablespoon salad oil
• 1 1/2 lb onions chopped
• 2 cloves garlic crushed
• 1/2 cup parsley chopped
• 1/2 cup butter
• 1 1/2 lb beef chuck course or chili grind
• 1 1/2 lb lean ground pork
• 1/3 cup chili powder
• 2 tablespoons salt
• 1 1/2 teaspoon pepper
• 1 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin seed

Instructions

1. Wash beans and soak covered in water overnight.
2. Simmer beans covered in water until tender. Add tomatoes and simmer 5 minutes. Sauté green pepper in salad oil 5 minutes. Add onion; cook until tender, stirring often.
3. Add garlic, parsley. Melt butter and sauté meat for 15 minutes. Add meat to onion mixture, stir in chili powder and cook 15 minutes. Add this to beans and add spices. Simmer covered for 1 hour. Cook uncovered 30 minutes. Skim fat from top.

Recipe Notes

This recipe is from 70's. I have copied it here almost as it is written on the photo copy I received with a couple of edits to remove obvious name-brand references as well as to correct a few blatant grammatical errors.

From the famous Chasen's Restaurant in Hollywood's filmland comes this recipe for what has been regarded as the finest Chili every to simmer in a bubbling pot. It's so highly regarded that many of the restaurant's regular patron from the film colony often have it delivered to their homes. Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton were so fond of it they had gallons dispatched to Rome when they were over there making "Cleopatra"....

Until next time, happy eating
~Audrey