Beef chilli
Prep time: 20 minsTotal time: 
Beef chilli
Prep time: 20 minsTotal time: 
Sarah Randell
Our former Food Director, and previously food editor to Delia Smith, Sarah has written more than 1000 recipes for the magazine. She is also author of Family Baking and Marmalade; A Bittersweet Cookbook among others.
Sarah Randell
Our former Food Director, and previously food editor to Delia Smith, Sarah has written more than 1000 recipes for the magazine. She is also author of Family Baking and Marmalade; A Bittersweet Cookbook among others.
Ingredients
- 2 large onions, chopped
- 2 garlic cloves, crushed
- 2 tbsp oil
- 1kg stewing beef, in small cubes
- 2 tsp sweet smoked paprika
- 1 tsp hot chilli powder
- 2 tsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 3 tbsp tomato purée
- 2 red chillies, deseeded and chopped
- 2 x 400g tins chopped tomatoes
- 2 red peppers, deseeded and chopped
- 1 x 410g tin red kidney beans, rinsed and drained
- 1 x 410g tin black-eyed beans, rinsed and drained
- 2 squares good-quality dark chocolate
- 3 tbsp chopped coriander leaves
Step by step
The chilli can be made up to 2 days ahead, then chilled and reheated. It also freezes well.
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In a large pan (or casserole) gently cook the onion and garlic in the oil over a low heat for 8-10 minutes or until the onion has softened. Scoop on to a plate and turn up the heat.
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Brown the meat in 2 or 3 batches, then return it all to the pan with the onions and garlic, the spices and the tomato purée. Stir together.
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Next add the chillies, tomatoes, red peppers and a generous pinch of salt. Fill one of the empty tomato tins with water and add that, too.
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Bring the chilli to the boil, then reduce the heat to low and leave it to simmer, covered, for an hour. Give it a stir every now and then.
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Stir in the beans, bring the chilli back to the boil and simmer again, this time uncovered, for 30 minutes. Check the seasoning. Stir in the chocolate and, once melted, stir in the coriander leaves. Serve in bowls with rice or jacket potatoes, with soured cream, extra chilli and lime wedges to squeeze over.
