Wednesday, January 7, 2015

chipotle chocolate chili . . .



Have you ever heard of chocolate chili?

I had heard of it, but had never tried it . . . that is, until I found a recipe for Chipotle Chocolate Chili in one of my sister-in-law's cookbooks . . . and made it the day after arriving home from our Winter vacation. I just couldn't wait!




It's made with unsweetened cocoa powder and chocolate, kidney beans, and chipotle sauce (along with other traditional chili ingredients). It's not only easy to prepare, but it's incredibly rich and flavorful.

I love how the flavors of this chili compliment one another. There's a balance of sweetness (kidney beans & brown sugar), spiciness (chipotle sauce, cumin & chili powder), acidity (diced tomatoes & red wine vinegar), and richness (unsweetened cocoa and chocolate).

Chipotle chocolate chili . . .
a wonderfully, delicious play on a classic!




You'll even fall in love with it's deep color . . .




Ingredients
1 lb. lean ground beef
1 large onion, chopped
1 red bell pepper, minced
3 cloves garlic, minced
2 15-oz. cans diced tomatoes
2 14.5-oz. cans kidney beans, drained and rinsed
1 15-oz. can beef broth
3 Tbsp. brown sugar
2 Tbsp. chili powder
1 tsp. ground cumin
1 Tbsp. unsweetened cocoa powder
1/2 tsp. ground black pepper
1/2 tsp. salt
Chipotle sauce
~ be careful, because too much unsweetened cocoa will make your chili bitter ~
3-4 Tbsp. red wine vinegar

Toppings
fresh cilantro
sour cream
chopped green onions
shredded jack or cheddar cheese

Instructions
Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large soup pot over medium heat. Sauté onion, garlic, bell pepper, and ground beef until meat is cooked through. Add salt, pepper, cumin, chili powder, brown sugar, unsweetened cocoa powder, tomatoes, kidney beans, and beef broth. Add all of the chipotle sauce from a small can of chipotle chilies.


Heat to boiling and then reduce to a simmer (uncovered), stirring occasionally, until thickened as desired (about 30-40 minutes).

If desired, add some chopped chipotle chilies (only if you like HEAT!). Add 3 Tbsp. red wine vinegar and a small amount of grated chocolate at a time until desired richness is reached. If necessary, add more red wine vinegar to cut the sweetness of the chili. This is where you can play around a little with the flavors.

When thickened and seasoned, serve with chopped green onions, sour cream, and shredded jack or cheddar cheese. I also served Garlic Naan bread alongside the chili.




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LET'S STAY in touch!




More chili recipes . . .























24 comments:

  1. Hi Suzanne, found you through Finding Silver Pennies link party - love the recipes for chili! I have used cocoa powder, cinnamon and coffee in my chili recipes but never chocolate! Sounds wonderful, will definitely be trying your recipe - maybe today! I am your newest follower...

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    Replies
    1. Hi Janice!
      Welcome! So happy to read that you're a new follower.
      This time of year is great for making chili's and soups . . . and I love this one for its rich flavors. It reminds me of Chili Colorado, which is just delicious!
      Hope to hear from you again soon.
      Have a great week,
      Suzanne

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  2. Anonymous3:43 PM

    Oh my….does that sound good! I am so glad I found you on the link party….looks like you have some other great recipes also. Just pinned this.

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    Replies
    1. Thanks so much for coming by, Kelly!
      I posted another great Winter soup today, so please come by!
      Have a beautiful week,
      Suzanne

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  3. I have used cocoa powder as well as coffee - not the chocolate! I will try this! It sounds and looks delicious! Pinning!!! Thank you for your recipe! Julia

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    Replies
    1. Hi Julia!
      So happy you came by. The whole chocolate thing is new to me . . . but I must say, it sure makes chili extra rich and delicious :0)
      Have a beautiful week,
      Suzanne

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  4. Oh, I MUST try this! It sounds wonderful! Pinning and copying to put on my menu for next week! Visiting from Treasure Hunt Thursday

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    Replies
    1. Hi AnnMarie!
      Thanks so much for stopping by!
      Happy to read that you're going to try this chili!
      Have a beautiful week,
      Suzanne

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  5. Ooooh, this sounds so GOOD. I love dark chocolate, but have never had it in chili. Thanks for sharing at Silver Pennies Sundays. x

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  6. Now this is really interesting. I'm not a big chocolate fan, so I'd probably prefer mine without. But that naan, yum bring it on! Thanks for sharing with SYC.
    hugs,
    Jann

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  7. This sounds awesome! I will be featuring your post in this week's Home and Garden Thursday,
    Kathy

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  8. That looks amazing. With the cooler weather here in FL it just sounds perfect and isn't there something in chocolate that releases happy endorphines in the brain? Thanks for sharing.
    Becky

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  9. I've never heard of putting chocolate into chili but I'll trust you on this one. It's so darn cold ; chili would hit the spot right now! :)

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  10. I just made a chocolate chili on Monday for dinner and it was a hit. But it didn't have Chipotle in it which is a flavor I love. I'm going to have to try this recipe next time! Looks so good :)

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  11. I have added chocolate to our chili before, and it really does add a wonderful element of flavor! Your garlic Naan bread looks delicious as well! Thanks for sharing on Weekend bites!

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  12. I have heard of the chocolate and chili combo but I have never been brave enough to try it. I think I will now after your rave reviews. Thanks for sharing, visiting from Marvelous Monday at Smart Party Planning.

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  13. Oh yum, I love Naan! The chili sounds so delicious and very unique. Thanks for sharing with SYC.
    hugs,
    Jann

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  14. Well I love both chocolate and chili. And I can totally imagine how well the flavors would compliment each other. I must give this a try!

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  15. I have heard of chocolate chilli, and eaten it, but never eaten it in an actual recipe! This looks very enticing...will have to give it a go!

    Thanks for linking up to Marvelous Monday on Smart Party Planning.

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  16. Chocolate chili is a first for me! You have me totally wanting to make it as it would be especially good considering the cold snap that we're having... single digits last night and more on the way. Brrr...
    I didn't recognize the brand of chocolate... would you be so kind to share it?
    Pinning of course!!
    Thanks so much for joining us at Project Inspire{d}, Suzanne!

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    Replies
    1. Hi Diane!
      So happy that you came by!
      I added a link to the chocolate that I use in the chili. It's Baker's brand . . . and you can find it in just about any store in the baking aisle. I hope you enjoy the chili as much as we do :0)
      Have a great week,
      Suzanne

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  17. Thank you so much for linking up at Your Turn To Shine! This chipotle chocolate chili is one of my features this week! Sounds really delicious!

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  18. Anonymous3:30 AM

    Yes, I've heard of this before and I love it! It wasn't until Christmas that I put chocolate into my chilli for the first time and I was very surprised by the depth of flavour. Thanks for linking up to Sweet and Savoury Sunday, stop by and link up again. Have a great day!! Laura@Baking in Pyjamas

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  19. Sounds delicious! I've used cocoa powder in chili, but never chocolate, I need to try this. Thanks for sharing at What'd You Do This Weekend? :)

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