Recipe: Chocolate Apple Chipotle Chili OR The Cure for the Common Chili

What do you do as a vegan when participating in a friend’s chili cook-off party? What do you do when you know a number of people in attendance think more meat makes a better chili? Blow their minds with some creative deliciousness, that’s what!

A friend of ours held a Mad Men / chili cook-off party this past weekend. So, we put on our finest 60’s era business executive/housewife attire, placed a pot of chili in the car, and drove across town to get our party on. After the drinking of much scotch and other equally classy beverages, of the six chilis in the informal competition... there was a four way tie for first place. But our Chocolate Apple Chipotle Chili was one of the four, at least. And with no meat. Go figure!

Before making this recipe, keep in mind that I made this for a large party of people, so this is going to make one big batch of chili. If you’re just looking to make dinner for your family you may want to consider halving--or perhaps even quartering--the recipe.

Ingredients:
2 Tbsp. olive oil
1 medium onion, diced
1 red bell pepper, diced
2 medium carrots, diced
4 medium apples, peeled and diced (I used Gala because we had them on hand)
4 cloves garlic, minced
salt
4 chipotle peppers in adobo sauce, finely chopped
2 bay leaves
2 Tbsp. chili powder
1 tsp. cumin
1 1/2 tsp. cinnamon
3 28 oz. cans whole tomatoes, hand crushed*
2 cans black beans, drained and rinsed
2 cans cannellini beans, drained and rinsed
2 oz. vegan dark chocolate (80% cocoa or higher)
1 Tbsp. brown sugar

*If you are adamantly opposed to getting your hands dirty by hand-crushing your tomatoes, you can use cans of diced tomatoes. Be aware, though, that the texture just won’t be the same.

1. In a large stockpot, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add onion, bell pepper, carrot, apple, and garlic to the pot along with a heavy pinch of salt. Saute for 5 minutes or so, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables have begun to soften.

2. Add chipotle peppers with their sauce, bay leaves, chili pepper, cumin, and cinnamon. Continue cooking for another 2 minutes, stirring.

3. Add tomato and beans. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.

4. Add the chocolate and sugar, stirring until they have dissolved completely into the chili. Simmer for an additional 5 minutes.

It’s all ready! Enjoy it with some vegan corn bread or some tortilla chips.