Savory Chocolate Chili

Name: Savory Chocolate Chili
Ingredients: 2 tablespoons vegetable oil; 2 lbs lean ground beef; 2 onions, finely chopped; 1 medium red bell pepper, finely chopped; 4 garlic cloves, minced; 1 cup corn kernel; 2 (28 ounce) cans diced tomatoes, undrained; 1 (6 ounce) can tomato paste; 1 (19 ounce) can black beans, rinsed and drained; 6 tablespoons chili powder; 12 teaspoon red pepper flakes; 1 tablespoon cumin; 2 teaspoons dried oregano; 1 tablespoon cumin; 1 teaspoon cinnamon; 1 pinch ground cloves; 1 teaspoon coriander; 1 teaspoon ground black pepper; 1 12 teaspoons salt, to taste; 1 (4 ounce) chocolate candy bars (bittersweet or semi-sweet, to taste); hot sauce, such as Tabasco (optional); 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice (optional); fresh cilantro (to garnish) (optional); sour cream (to garnish) (optional); grated cheese (to garnish) (optional)

25 ingredients

8 steps

Ingredients

2 tablespoons vegetable oil
2 lbs lean ground beef
2 onions, finely chopped
1 medium red bell pepper, finely chopped
4 garlic cloves, minced
1 cup corn kernel
2 (28 ounce) cans diced tomatoes, undrained
1 (6 ounce) can tomato paste
1 (19 ounce) can black beans, rinsed and drained
6 tablespoons chili powder
12 teaspoon red pepper flakes
1 tablespoon cumin
2 teaspoons dried oregano
1 tablespoon cumin
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 pinch ground cloves
1 teaspoon coriander
1 teaspoon ground black pepper
1 12 teaspoons salt, to taste
1 (4 ounce) chocolate candy bars (bittersweet or semi-sweet, to taste)
hot sauce, such as Tabasco (optional)
1 tablespoon fresh lime juice (optional)
fresh cilantro (to garnish) (optional)
sour cream (to garnish) (optional)
grated cheese (to garnish) (optional)

Directions

1

In a large heavy pot, heat the oil over medium-high heat; add the beef, onions, bell pepper, and garlic; stir and cook until vegetables begin to soften.
2

Add the spices, corn, black beans, diced tomato and tomato paste.
3

Cook at medium-low temperature, uncovered, until excess liquid from tomatoes reduces, about an hour.
4

Finely chop chocolate and add to chili.
5

Cover, reduce heat to low and let sit another twenty minutes.
6

Adjust seasoning to taste.
7

NOTE: The flavor is quite different whether you use bittersweet chocolate, like 70% chocolate or semi-sweet chocolate.
8

If you are unsure of what you would prefer, I suggest using bittersweet chocolate and then adding sugar if you find the chocolate flavor too strong.