Ingredients

  • 2 Tablespoons Vegetable Oil
  • 1 Large Onion, Chopped
  • 1 Red Bell Pepper, Cut Into 1/2" Cubes
  • 5 cloves Garlic, Minced
  • 6 Tablespoons Chili Powder
  • 2 Tablespoons Cocoa Chili Powder (optional)
  • 2 teaspoons Ground Corriander
  • 1 Tablespoon Ground Cumin
  • 1 Tablespoon Red Pepper Flakes
  • 1 teaspoon Dried Oregano
  • 1/2 teaspoons Cayenne Pepper
  • 2 pounds 85% Lean Ground Beef Or (dark Meat) Ground Turkey
  • 2 cans Red Kidney Beans (16 Oz Cans)
  • 1 can Diced Tomatoes (28 Oz)
  • 1 can Tomato Puree (28 Oz)
  • 2 Tablespoons Tomato Paste
  • 4 ounces, weight Dark Chocolate (85% Or Darker Preferred)
  • Kosher Salt To Taste
  • 1/4 cups Water Or Beef Stock (optional)

Method

  • Heat oil in a heavy bottomed nonreactive Dutch oven (5 1/2 Quart Le Creuset is my go to pot) over medium heat. Make sure the oil does not get to the smoking point.
  • Add onions, bell pepper, garlic, and all of the spices (except salt) and stir occasionally until the vegetables start to soften -approximately 10 minutes.
  • Turn up the heat to medium-high and add half the meat. Brown and break up the meat into small pieces about 3-4 minutes. Add remaining beef and break up, cooking for another 3-4 minutes.
  • Add beans, tomatoes, tomato puree and paste and 1 teaspoon of salt. Bring to a boil then reduce to low and simmer covered for 1 hour.
  • Remove cover and add 3-4 ounces of dark chocolate, stir and continue to simmer for another hour, uncovered stirring occasionally. You can add 1/4 cup of water or beef stock if the chili begins to stick to the bottom of the pan. Adjust seasoning. You will probably want to add a dash more salt to balance out the subtle sweetness of the chocolate.
  • Serve with your favorite toppings. I add a squeeze of lime, shredded cheese, sour cream and chives. You can't have enough toppings in my mind. I have also served this as a hot dip with extra large corn chips (Fritos) for dipping.