BoatRecipes.com

Charmed Chili

Number of Servings: 6

Added By: Debbie Roser

My Yacht Name: Charmed

Yacht Manufacturer: Island Packet

Ingredients: 1 medium onion,chopped 4 cloves garlic, minced 1 lb extra-lean ground beef 3 t oregano 3/4 t kosher salt 3/4 t cayenne or chipolte or chili pepper 3/4 t black pepper 1 t cinnamon 1 1/2 T tomato paste 1 can stewed tomatoes 1 can dark red kidney beans 1 can no-sodium black beans 3 T unsweetened cocoa powder 1 1/2 cup low-sodium, nonfat chicken broth 1 1/2 T fresh cilantro, chopped 3+ T shredded light taco cheese or light Mexican three-cheese mix Optional: Sour cream Optional: Jalapeno pepper slices

Directions: Coat deep saucepan with nonstick cooking spray and heat on high for 30 seconds. Add onion and garlic. Lower heat to medium and cover pan. Saute 30 seconds. Add ground beef, mix well and cook, uncovered, until meat begins to brown slightly -- about 2-3 minutes. Add oregano, salt, cayenne, cinnamon and black pepper and stir. Add tomato paste, stir well and allow to cook for 30 seconds. Add stewed tomatoes and mix well. Add beans and cocoa powder, and stir gently. Add chicken broth and cilantro and reduce heat to low-medium. Cover and simmer 12-15 minutes. (For a thicker chili, remove cover and simmer for 1-2 minutes more.) To serve, divide chili among 4 bowls. Top each with 2-1/2 teaspoons of shredded three-chese mix.

Comments: Serving size is 1-1/2 cups. 304 calories per serving (not including optional items). This is a favorite recipe in my house, so I double the recipe so we can have leftovers. Experiment by increasing the amount of the ground beef or beens. I prefer chopped tomatoes to stewed tomatoes, because I tend to keep several cans of chopped tomatoes on hand for a variety of recipes. Do not skimp on the fresh cilantro if you can avoid doing so. I used dried cilantro once when I could not find it fresh. It wasn't the same. I love the smell and taste of fresh cilantro. In fact, I usually use twice the amount called for! Enjoy!!