Savory Chocolate Chili

Total Time: 2 hrs 20 mins Preparation Time: 20 mins Cook Time: 2 hrs

Ingredients

• Servings: 6
• 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)

Recipe

• 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.