Mild Vegan Chocolate Chili

Chili gets kicked up a notch when a spicy melted chocolate bar joins the pot.

As tail end whispers of winter season gives one last effortless breeze, it feels appropriate to share a new chili recipe to our spitfire spirits. The title may sound sweet and dessert-like. Plot twist-- this is not similar at all to an indulgent spice cookie or a black bean brownie. Although having a tasty addictive component such as chocolate comes as an eloquent surprise, beans, corn, tomatoes, and spices lap up the chocolate's spiciness factor quite brilliantly. Inside of a bowl lies irresistible satisfaction to warm up souls on the final cold days.
The idea to add chocolate in chili came after my Toronto friend sent me Galerie Au Chocolat's feu fire chocolate bar. I've had the bar for months, wrapping my head around exactly what to do with it. After all, this articular bar came with a red stickered fire warning. That meant this was not an average chocolate bar. Galerie Au Chocolat's cacao beans are produced by coops in Dominican Republic just like La Siembra Chocolate. However, La Siembra is on the Food Empowerment Project's recommended list whereas Galerie Au Chocolat is not. Luckily, various FEP approved brands craft spicy chocolate bars.
The flavor of hot hot liquid chocolate to the means is amazing-- like a tantalizing mole sauce taking a meaty bean dish out on a town. It's perfect. It's romantic. What more can one expect from chili?
For an even spicier delight (if you're not a mild fan), add chopped jalapenos, extra sliced bell peppers, or ample sprinkles of cayenne/paprika.

Mild Vegan Chocolate Chili Ingredients and Preparation

1 15oz can black beans, drained and rinsed
1 15oz can kidney beans, drained and rinsed
1/2 cup frozen corn, cooked
1 15oz can diced tomatoes
1 cup Lightlife Soy Ground (or any other kind)
1/2 cup red onion, chopped
1/4 cup cilantro, chopped finely
1 tablespoon chili powder
2 teaspoon coriander
1 teaspoon minced garlic
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1 Spicy Chocolate Bar (Theo Chocolate's Spicy Bar is a good suggestion)
avocado
1/2 teaspoon red chili flakes

Bring beans, corn, soy ground, and spices to simmer, stirring often and putting a lid on. Let simmer for 35-40 minutes.
In a steel bowl over bowling water, melt chocolate.

Mix 3/4 of the melted chocolate bar into chili. Stir evenly.

Chili topped with avocado slices, extra hot chocolate, cilantro, and crushed red pepper flakes.

Pretty colorful bowl of yumminess.

Ready to be devoured.

Quick Three Bean Chili

As the weather drops, it's always good to have a hearty bowl of chili on deck!

I have never made chili before.
Nope.
Eat-A-Pita crafts a fine version. Trader Joe's has an excellent concoction-- often sold out.
It's astonishing. Even when including my fourteen years of vegetarianism, I had no gall to make chili.
So imagine being at the grocery store, starving, stomach growling. And then the snow starts pouring. Usually, one would want an instant easy-to-prep meal. Like vegan grilled cheese, red onion, & honee sandwiches and homemade chunky tomato soup.
I craved chili. A chili of my own. Not a store bought or a restaurant ordered one.
I picked up my three favorite beans: black beans, garbanzo beans, and kidney beans. Yes, instead of being a slow, simmering kind of girl, I grabbed the cans. After all, hunger can be strongly overwhelming. Bad excuse. I know.
I also found a new product-- TruRoots Sprouted Lentils (on sale at Whole Foods for $3.50) that cooks for only six minutes. Already my imagination beamed happily at the flavor profile of beans and lentils and smart ground.
It's a pleasing savory dish meant to bring warmth to heart and soul. I was very proud. For extra oomph add juicy plump tomatoes or for a spice notch chopped jalapeños would be an excellent idea.
Serving size is four. Ask three friends if they want to come over for hot chili.

Quick Three Bean Chili Ingredients and Preparation

A wonderful addition to this recipe-- TruRoots' Accents Sprouted Lentil Trio consisting of green, brown, and black lentils.

1 cup TruRoots Accents Sprouted Lentil Trio
15 oz black beans, drained and rinsed
15 oz. dark red kidney beans, drained and rinsed
15 oz. garbanzo beans, drained and rinsed
1 cup water
1/2 cup Lightlife Smart Ground
1/4 cup red onion, chopped
3 tablespoon nutritional yeast
1 teaspoon liquid smoke
1 teaspoon garlic
1 teaspoon cumin
1/4 teaspoon paprika
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
avocado (optional)

Prepare sprouted lentils according to package directions.
Drain and rinse black, kidney, and garbanzo beans together.
With stove set to medium heat, mix together lentils, beans, water, smart ground, and red onion. Add spices.

Cook for 10-15 minutes, continuously stirring to keep chili from sticking to the pot.

Best served with avocado slices and a slice of delicious vegan cornbread.