Chili con carne with cheese

4 servings

120 minutes

Chili con carne with cheese is a spicy and rich dish of Mexican cuisine that embodies the fiery flavor of peppers, the tenderness of meat, and the depth of spices. Its origins trace back to Tex-Mex cuisine, where it became a symbol of hearty and aromatic food. Slow-cooked beans, spicy ground beef, rich garlic and cumin aromas, along with the velvety tang of tomatoes create a perfect balance of flavors. The addition of dark chocolate adds depth by softening the heat and making the dish particularly refined. Grated cheese completes the composition by giving chili a creamy texture. It is an ideal treat for friendly evenings or cozy family lunches served with warm bread or fresh tortillas to fully reveal its flavor dimensions.

Energy value per serving

• Calories: 742.8
• Proteins: 36.8g
• Fats: 55.3g
• Carbohydrates: 22.9g

Ingredients

• Beans: 250 g
• Ground beef: 600 g
• Tomatoes: 400 g
• Red onion: 150 g
• Sweet pepper: 1 pc
• Garlic: 3 clove
• Chili pepper: 3 pc
• Water: 150 ml
• Sugar: 2 tsp
• Salt: 1 tsp
• Dried cilantro (coriander): 1 tsp
• Oregano: 2 tsp
• Ground cumin (zira): 1 tsp
• Lime juice: 2 tbsp
• Olive oil: 3 tbsp
• Dark chocolate: 20 g
• Hard cheese: 120 g

Cooking steps

1. Soak the beans in cold water for 6-8 hours, then rinse and drain. Cook the beans until almost done for about 80 minutes.

   Required ingredients:

   • Beans: 250 g

2. Fry the minced meat in olive oil until the liquid evaporates and it lightly browns (10-15 minutes). Then transfer it to a deep pot where our chili will be cooked.

   Required ingredients:

   • Ground beef: 600 g
   • Olive oil: 3 tablespoons

3. Chop the onion (into quarter rings), bell pepper (into pieces about 1 cm), chili pepper (1 piece finely chopped after removing seeds), and garlic also finely chopped.

   Required ingredients:

   • Red onion: 150 g
   • Sweet pepper: 1 piece
   • Chili pepper: 3 pieces
   • Garlic: 3 cloves

4. We mix all the spices in a mortar and grind them a little.

   Required ingredients:

   • Dried cilantro (coriander): 1 teaspoon
   • Oregano: 2 teaspoons
   • Ground cumin (zira): 1 teaspoon

5. We start by frying the onion until translucent and then add the other vegetables (bell pepper, chopped chili pepper, garlic), sautéing while stirring for about 5 minutes. Next, we add the spices and cook for another 2-3 minutes. We transfer our vegetables to the meat.

   Required ingredients:

   • Red onion: 150 g
   • Sweet pepper: 1 piece
   • Chili pepper: 3 pieces
   • Garlic: 3 cloves
   • Dried cilantro (coriander): 1 teaspoon
   • Oregano: 2 teaspoons
   • Ground cumin (zira): 1 teaspoon

6. Peel the tomatoes (pour boiling water over them for a minute). Blend the tomatoes and add them to the pot.

   Required ingredients:

   • Tomatoes: 400 g

7. We have 2 chili peppers left, we cut one in half and remove the seeds, putting it in the pot, and place the other one whole.

   Required ingredients:

   • Chili pepper: 3 pieces

8. Add sugar and salt, mix everything carefully, and turn on medium heat, simmer for 5-7 minutes. Taste for salt. (add a little if needed)

   Required ingredients:

   • Sugar: 2 teaspoons
   • Salt: 1 teaspoon

9. Next, we put the pre-cooked beans in a pot, mix them, add water (depending on the consistency, it should be moderately liquid). We add squeezed lime.

   Required ingredients:

   • Beans: 250 g
   • Water: 150 ml
   • Lime juice: 2 tablespoons

10. Cook covered for about 70-80 minutes on low heat with a gentle simmer, stirring occasionally.

11. Add chocolate 5 minutes before it's done and stir.

    Required ingredients:

    • Dark chocolate: 20 g

12. Serve with grated cheese.

    Required ingredients:

    • Hard cheese: 120 g