is it true you should add a square of cooking chocolate to make an authentic chilli?

Answer 1

Chocolate yes-but not the cooking variety.(nasty greasy stuff) Use the best (70% or more)you can get.

Answer 2

Adding chocolate to chilli, doesn't make it an authentic chilli recipe!

Chocolate is an authentic Southwestern, Mexican spice. (Big Deal!)

Chocolate Chili

32 ounces (4 cups) water
16 ounces tomato sauce
14 ounces salsa verde (green salsa)
1 cup pure ancho chile powder
1 1/2 tablespoons dried onion flakes
1 1/2 tablespoons dried minced garlic
2 tablespoons ground cumin
1 teaspoon ground cilantro
1 tablespoon smoked Spanish paprika
1 tablespoon salt
1/2 tablespoon ground black pepper
3 tablespoons cocoa powder (unsweetened)
1 tablespoon Chipotle powder
2 pounds flank steak, diced
10 ounces Rotel diced tomatoes and green chiles, drained
15 ounce can black beans, drained
16 ounces corn, cooked
1/2 cup warm water
1/4 cup fresh masa flour

Serves / Yields
Approximately 1 Gallon

Fill a pot (8 qt recommended) with the water, tomato sauce, and salsa. Heat on low to slowly bring up the temperature. In a separate frying pan, cast iron preferred, rapidly sear the flank steak cubes over high heat. Add the meat and dry spices to the heated water mixture and then bring the pot to a boil on high heat. Once the pot is boiling, lower heat to medium-low and cover. Cook for 2 Hours, stirring every 15 minutes.

Just before the 2 hour mark, mix together the warm water and masa flour to make a pasty fluid. Then, add it along with the diced tomatoes & chiles, black beans and corn. Cover and cook an additional 30 minutes. Stir once at the 15-minute mark.

Serve with shredded cheese, coarse chopped raw onion, and tortillas.

Helpful Hints
It helps to mix all the spices in a large bowl prior to needing them. Use a mortar and pestel to grind the dried cilantro, or, if you don't have one, rub it in your hands to break it down.

Don't try to sear the flank steak cubes all at once. Sear in small batches, maybe 3 to 6 at a time, depending on the size of your pan.

You can use hamburger to make this chili, but the consistency will be very different and the chili will tend to taste greasier unless the hamburger is well drained.
http://www.thespicehouse.com/recipe/recipe_print_424.php

A couple of Greek brothers moved to Cincinnati about 1920. There in Cincinnati they developed what has become a signature dish for the city - The Cincinnati Five Way. There are many chili parlors that offer their version of this famous dish.
http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/20mile/fivehi.htm

Answer 3

I've heard you should use unsweetened chocolate or cocoa in your chili as it really brings the flavor out. When it cools down enough to make chili here, I'm gonna try it myself.

Answer 4

Yeah - chocolate and chilli flavours really compliment each other.

Answer 5

I have heard it makes it smoother and richer. I have never tried it myself but the Spanish have always added coco/chocolate to spicy foods & drinks.

Answer 6

Yes but only a small amount it gives it a rich glossy colour and enhances the flavour too.

Answer 7

actually, cocoa is what you are going for. you can use powder. It brings out the flavor of the tomatoes. you can also add some beer to your chili.

Answer 8

Yes it is, the Mayans believed it to have mystical powers. It may even have been more valuable than gold.

Answer 9

yes yes it is....dark 70% cocoa oooohhhh yeaah

Answer 10

Yeah. . . . I always use cocoa powder and some guiness!!!!