Here, Gousto’s expert chef reveals why chocolate is her unexpected secret ingredient for an ultra-rich chilli con carne
It’s cosy season, and the only way to fend off the early darkness is by diving into a bowl of something warm, rich and hearty. For chilly evenings, there’s nothing quite like a pot of comforting, slow simmered chilli con carne.
The smoky Mexican recipe is a family favourite, but Sophie Nahmad, Lead Recipe Developer at recipe box subscription service Gousto, is revealing the unexpected ingredient you should be adding to your chilli to develop a luxurious flavour and elevate your weeknight meals.
“Dark chocolate is my secret ingredient for developing a rich depth of flavour to make a delicious chilli con carne. Adding something that’s usually a sweet snack into your savoury main meal might seem strange, but you need to trust me when I say this tip is absolutely game-changing,” Sophie promises.
“Adding dark chocolate to chilli isn’t just a quirk; it’s my go-to secret ingredient every time. Not only does the chocolatey flavour complement the spices in the chilli, but it also brings out the smokiness while the slight bitterness of dark chocolate balances the sourness that can sometimes occur with tinned tomatoes.”
To achieve this flavour upgrade, Sophie says it’s best to work with high-quality dark chocolate. “70% cocoa or higher is the best dark chocolate type. All you need is a medium-sized chunk to add to your chilli after all your spices and tinned tomatoes just before you set it to simmer. This helps the ingredients melt together, creating a rich and smoky batch of chilli.”
The best part? Chilli con carne is the ultimate meal-prep. “It’s a busy person’s best friend,” adds Sophie. “It’s a super simple, high-protein meal that can be portioned off and kept in the fridge for 3-5 days or in the freezer for months! Then you’ll have delicious meals ready to go throughout autumn and winter.”
This chocolate twist might just be the cosy upgrade your chilli con carne has been waiting for.