Chilli for a crowd

This chilli is something I’ve been making for Boxing Day for years. It gets better if you cook it over a really long time on a low heat after you have added in the tomatoes. My choice of tomatoes is always mutti. And if you have a slow cooker this works really well once you’ve sauteed the onions and browned the meat. 

You can also make it luxe by using chuck steak mince. It will need longer to cook though and will be better and much more tender in a slow cooker.

We serve a version of this in our warm bowl menu too and it’s so popular.

Boxing Day Chilli

MAKES 8-10 SERVINGS

INGREDIENTS

1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil

3 onions sliced

4 cloves garlic chopped

3 green chillies, deseeded and finely chopped

2 tsp cumin

2 tsp ground coriander

2 tsp sweet smoked paprika

800g beef mince

3 tbsp tomato puree

1 cinnamon stick

3 tins of chopped tomatoes

Sundried tomatoes

1 can of kidney beans or mixed beans

40g dark chocolate

Glass of red wine (optional)

METHOD

In a large pan, heat the oil on a medium heat. Add the onion and sauté until it starts to soften, around 8-10 minutes. Turn down the heat and add the garlic, chilli and spices. 

Once they’re fragrant add the beef mince and turn up the heat to brown the meat. Keep stirring and once the meat is evenly browned add the tomato purée, then the tinned tomatoes and the wine if using, then the cinnamon stick. Turn the heat down and simmer for 20 minutes or so, stirring frequently. Add the dark chocolate, stirring until melted. Season to taste. If it needs more spice add a pinch of dried chilli flakes. 

Cook for a further 20 minutes before adding the beans and sun-dried tomatoes.  Then either serve or keep cooking on a very low setting stirring.

Season to taste and serve with rice or jackets, or piled into a wrap.

Then heap on the toppings - avo, coriander, yoghurt, chilli oil, grated cheese - the more the merrier.

I often add in less meat and more beans to up the fiber in this one. You can also grate in a courgette just before serving to get some extra veggies in.

Enjoy.

Rebecca x