Hispaniola Coffee Chili

Annacia's Note:

The flavors in this really interesting chili are drawn from ingredients used by the Spaniards who settled in the West Indies on the islands now called Cuba and Hispaniola. It's not your everyday chili!

• Total Time: 40 mins
• Prep Time: 10 mins
• Cook Time: 30 mins

Ingredients:

Servings: 6

• 1 ½ lbs lean ground beef
• 2 medium onions , chopped (about 11/2 cups)
• 2 garlic cloves , minced
• 2 bay leaves
• 2 teaspoons chili powder
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• ½ teaspoon nutmeg
• ¼ teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
• ¼ teaspoon ground allspice
• 1 teaspoon salt
• ¼ teaspoon chopped fresh thyme leave
• 1 teaspoon capers
• 2 tablespoons chopped pimento stuffed olives
• 2 (4 ½ ounce) cans diced green chilies
• 2 cups strong coffee
• 1 tablespoon dark molasses
• 1 (14 ½ ounce) can diced tomatoes
• 1⁄3; cup raisins
• ½ cup toasted slivered almond
• 5 cups hot cooked rice

Directions:

1. Brown the meat in a large Dutch oven, cook the beef over medium-high heat, about 4-5 minutes.
2. Remove contents from the Dutch oven and set aside. Reduce heat to medium low and add onions and saute until translucent, about 3 minutes.
3. Add garlic and cook 1 minute.
4. Replace meat and add bay leaves, chili powder, cumin, nutmeg, pepper, allspice, salt, thyme, capers, olives, chiles, coffee, molasses, and tomatoes. Simmer uncovered for 20 minutes.
5. Finish the chili: Add raisins and simmer uncovered for 10 minutes. Garnish with almonds. Serve hot over cooked rice.

Reviews

[loof]

Absolutely delicious! I made two changes: I don't care for onions so used green and red bell peppers instead, and used some leftover roast, chopped, instead of the ground beef. Loved the combination of spices with the bold coffee base - I used hot chili powder and it was terrific. The raisins were a pleasant surprise. Served over brown rice and forgot the almonds, but will try them next time. Thanks for sharing this recipe!

[Zuly Z]

Easy, very tasting, excellent. I had some unexpected visitors and they were delighted. Served with wite rice, "patacones" (fried plantain), refried beans and a green salad. Everybody asked for seconds!!!! Thanks

[NurseJaney]

Hi, Annacia ! Have watched your recipes for a long time ! THIS was TRULY a winner ! I played in the "New Year's Spice and Herb Swap" and was lucky enough to have PaulaG for a partner ! She sent some wonderful things -- and since we had 3 inches of snow yesterday, and it is to be VERY cold for the weekend, I prepared your chili ALMOST as listed. I used her Green Chili Powder, and having seen in the past, that Spanish chili frequently included cocoa/chocolate -- I had some VERY dark, bitter cocoa, of which I added about 1 tablespoon. Just because we always eat chili this way, topped each bowl with some sour cream and some grated sharp, cheddar cheese ! UMM-UMM good ! SO happy we have plenty left-over for another meal. Thanks for sharing an enjoyable recipe !