Chocolate-Tequila Chili

Serves 6

Ingredients

  • 3 tbsp olive oil, divided
  • ½ lb sweet Italian sausage
  • ½ lb hot Italian sausage
  • 2 lbs lean ground beef
  • 1 large onion, diced
  • 1 green bell pepper, diced
  • 1 red bell pepper, diced
  • 3 jalapenos, seeded & chopped
  • 6 oz chipotle chiles in adobo sauce
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 cans (15-oz each) whole peeled or diced tomatoes
  • 14.5-oz can kidney beans
  • 1 tsp chili powder
  • 1 tsp cumin
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1 tsp pepper
  • ½ cup brown sugar
  • 2 tbsp tomato paste
  • 3 cups beef stock or broth
  • 6 oz good-quality chocolate (72% cacao recommended)
  • ½ cup tequila

How-to

  1. In a large sauté pan, add 2 tbsp olive oil over medium-high heat
  2. Add sausage and ground beef. Allow to cook 10-15 minutes until brown
  3. In a medium to large saucepan, add 1 tbsp olive oil over medium-high heat. Add onions and peppers. Allow to sauté 10-15 minutes until soft and translucent
  4. Add jalapenos and chipotles and stir to sauté, about 30 seconds, add garlic at the end of the sauté time
  5. Combine meat with the vegetables including all of the juices released from the meat
  6. Add all remaining ingredients except tequila and chocolate. Bring to a simmer, reduce heat to low and allow to cook, covered, 5-6 hours
  7. Stir in chocolate until melted
  8. Stir in tequila and serve