Savory Chocolate Chili

Submitted by Lando

"This is not just delicious, it is an attractive chili. The yellow corn kernels and the red peppers shine like gems against the dark mahogany of the chili, and if you choose to top it with bright white sour cream, fresh green cilantro and creamy cheese, well, they say that presentation is 90% of the meal! Excellent with a good corn bread."

 

• Ready In: 2hrs 20mins
• Ingredients: 25
• Serves: 6-8

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
• 1⁄2 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 1⁄2 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. Cook at medium-low temperature, uncovered, until excess liquid from tomatoes reduces, about an hour.
3. Finely chop chocolate and add to chili. Cover, reduce heat to low and let sit another twenty minutes. Adjust seasoning to taste.
4. NOTE: The flavor is quite different whether you use bittersweet chocolate, like 70% chocolate or semi-sweet chocolate. 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.