cocoa chili with a side of coconut
February 17, 2011 I am so very excited about this recipe. It was the best chili I’ve ever made and was inspired by the “chocolate chili” from one of our favorite Ft. Collins restaurants, Tasty Harmony. This chili has a medium spice [easily adjustable], an amazing creamy texture and a nice mellow cocoa flavor. Chili powder + cumin pair extremely well with unsweetened cocoa powder.
If you can believe it, topping this with shredded coconut was delicious. I did this for dinner last night with a dollup of plain Greek yogurt as well. Today I got a little crazy and decided to add my cocoa-nut almond butter to the mix.
I can’t even describe how perfect the flavors + textures were together.
Cocoa Chili [serves 5/6]
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 bell pepper, chopped
- 1 can mild green chilies
- 1-2T chipotle sauce [you can find this in the Mexican aisle in a small can, it might also be labeled adobo sauce..it’s very spicy!]
- 1/4c unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1/2t cinnamon
- 2t cumin
- 1/2 salt [add more if desired]
- cracked pepper
- 3 cans beans of choice, drained + rinsed [I used black beans, cannellini, and kidney]
- 2, 14oz cans, diced tomatoes with liquid
- 1.5-2c low sodium veggie broth
- 2T safflower oil/coconut oil
- 1.5T sucanat [or pure cane sugar]
- 1t oregano
- In a large pot, heat oil over medium heat.
- Sauté onion + pepper until soft, stirring occasionally.
- Add garlic and stir again, cooking for about 1min.
- Add cocoa powder, cumin, salt, pepper, cinnamon, oregano and stir for about 1min, until fragrant.
- Add in tomatoes + liquid, veggie broth, green chilies and chipotle sauce [start with 1T and add more to desired spiciness]. Stir to combine.
- Bring to a boil, reduce heat to simmer. Add drained + rinsed beans and sucanat [or sugar].
- Simmer over med-low heat, stirring occasionally.
- Let cook for about 30-45min, until desired consistency is reached. It will thicken the longer it cooks.
- While cooking, taste + adjust spices accordingly.
Served with tortilla chips + a salad on the side, this is one of the best meals I’ve had in quite some time.
We’re headed to Denver tonight to meet up with one of Chris’s friends that is in town from back home [PA]. Tomorrow we’re headed to Vail + Breckenridge on Saturday. I have some posts scheduled to go up tomorrow + Saturday, but won’t be able to answer comments or email, as I won’t have my computer with me. Just a heads up! I’ll catch up on Sunday with a full recap of the weekend. We’re hoping for a powder day tomorrow at Vail. Right now I have some packing to do and hopefully a sunny + windy walk with the dogs before heading out.
Have a great rest of your week!
Ashley
Recipes, beans, cocoa, coconut, nut butter 
Reader Comments (57)
Love. It.
That recipe is right up my street!!
Have a good time in Denver :)
I'll be in Breckinridge tomorrow! Snowmobiling here I come :)
Very interesting! I don't know why I didn't think of pairing coconut with spicy chili before!
Wow! I would have never thought to top chili with coconut or almond butter! But I'll take your word for it because I'm a lover of all things sweet-n-savory! :)
Oh wow, that looks delicious! Thanks for sharing the recipe. I'll have to make it when the weather cools back down a little bit.
Have a fun weekend abroad!
-Dana
Should be a gorgeous weekend in the mountains for you!
Though I'll be spending my days in the sun by your 'former home turf' aka Wash Park
never woulda thought to top chili with nut butter! GENIUS.
Ooohhh...I just made a huge batch of chickpeas, I'm going to have to try this out. I've never put cocoa in chili before, but lovelovelove cinnamon. And a pinch of ginger too.
Have fun in Denver! I've never been there but it seems so lovely and full of gorgeous mountain views.
My friend's roommate works at Tasty Harmony, but I've never been! The next time I go to Ft. Collins I'll check it out :)
Have fun in Denver!
You always have the most creative recipes! Who would have thought of cocoa chili?? It sounds fantastic!
Looks delicious! We're flying from NYC to Denver tmrw--looking forward to a really fun weekend!
Have fun with the powder day! All our snow on the east coast is melting :(
Chocolate (cocoa) chili is CINCINNATI chili!!! :)
The chili looks amazing! Have a safe trip!
This looks delicious! I have always been a fan of putting peanut butter on my chili and I always get weird stares when I do this. I can't wait to try this cocoa version with chocolate peanut butter. Brilliant!
Traveling mercies to you and Chris! This looks like panera bread's chili, except way healthier and prettier! haahaa.
Yum!!! This sounds yummy:) Reminds me of Dreena Burton's Cocoa Coco Chili!
This does look and sound amazing!
Ahhhhhh, it looks and sounds SO good! I love that you put peanut butter in there too... I know HEAB's hubby makes almond butter chili that sounds great too!
I have been seeing chocolate chili recipes blowing up EVERYWHERE lately!! I need to jump on the bandwagon!
I literally just posted a nearly identical recipe last weekend! So weird. I used frozen veggies and half beans/half beef though. :)
https://makingfoodandotherstuff.wordpress.com/2011/02/13/chocolate-chili/
It was the first time I'd used cocoa in my chili, and I will never go back.
I die. I have never had chili with nut butter before!! Adding cocoa will be my next endeavor!
Wow that sounds interesting --- but it looks really good (especially with the coconut on top) YUM :)
http://oatsandspice.wordpress.com
Wheee- I love me some warming veggie chili. I've never tried cocoa powder or sugar in my chili- must try next time i'm in the mood for this lovely bowl of comfort.
You should check out my blog when you get a chance- there *may* be something good said about you! :)
I definitely need to try chili after this! Looks delish :)
You're so sweet..thanks Emilia!
Great minds think alike!! ;) I feel the same...will always make this now!
Yes you do!
AB chili?? yummm
Someone else said that too! FUnny, I've never read her book but just got it from the library last week..it's on my table and has yet to be opened. haha Must find more time!
You should probably come here and test mine out!
Aww, have fun!!!!
Thanks girl!! I've seen it a lot before..but made this up just playing in the kitch. SO good!!
You must check it out!!!!
Aww, I do miss Wash Park...have fun!
Ooooh, fun!!!! I've never done that...be safe!
I LOVE cocoa in my chili, I make one recipe with sweet potatoes, I love it! But the coconut sounds genius! I need to try that :)
xo
your recipe is exactly the kind I love !!
This is excellent! I added in 1/3 cup pureed pumpkin and a cup of chopped okra, poured it over spiralized zucchini and tossed some goat cheese in. Comfort food!
I'm making my Sunday shopping list right now and all the ingredients for this chili are on it! Can't wait to make it! Does it matter what kind of bell pepper? Would you recommend red or greed?
Whatever you prefer. Red is a bit sweeter. I never mind when either are used...some people have a more definite preference. I hope you like it!!
I loved this! So tasty and filling. I mixed some leftover sweet potato into my leftovers the next day as my topping. Yum. thanks for the great recipes. I love your blog!
That sounds fantastic!
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oh yumsies! gonna add this one to the to-make list as soon as the temperatures drop! have an awesome weekend.
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