Add tomato paste and cook for 1 minute. Then pour in:
Fire-roasted tomatoes
Beans
Beef broth
Coffee (or espresso)
Optional bourbon or molasses
Stir everything together, scraping the bottom of the pot to loosen flavorful bits. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer.
Cover and let it bubble gently for at least 1 hour, ideally 2.
🔹 Step 5: Add the Chocolate
Once the chili is thick and rich, stir in your chopped dark chocolate and vinegar. This step transforms the dish—making it silky, slightly bittersweet, and shockingly good.
Taste and adjust salt, heat, acidity as needed.
Part 4: What Makes This Chili So “Interesting”?
Flavor depth: Coffee and chocolate enhance the umami.
Aromatic warmth: Cinnamon, cloves, and allspice add a unique backdrop.
Surprising smoothness: Chocolate rounds out acidity from tomatoes.
Complex balance: It’s spicy, earthy, rich, and slightly sweet.
This is a dish that keeps evolving as you eat it. Every bite reveals something new.
Part 5: How to Serve It
Classic: With cornbread or rice.
Modern: Ladled over sweet potato mash or baked polenta.
Party-style: Set up a chili bar with toppings and let guests build their own bowls.
Leftovers: Even better the next day! Try it in tacos, stuffed bell peppers, or over nachos.
Part 6: Nutrition & Storage
