Black Bean Chilli

Now, I'm not really in to cooking over a hot stove for hours (I'm a mum of a toddler living in Dubai, so you can understand why). But every now and again I've been known to make the air con a bit cooler just to snuggle up on the sofa, wrap up in my favourite grey (is the colour important?) cardigan and eat a hearty bowl of Chilli.

I don't, however, slave over a hot stove for hours and hours cooking as I'm a big fat cheat and I use canned beans and lentils! Not only are they hugely convenient (and usually always there at the back of the cupboard) but they add the depth I'm looking for. I use black beans, baked beans (don't knock it 'til you've tried it) and lentils. All from cans. None of them drained. Al the lovely juices are what makes these beans mean. Oh, and it's very very quick!

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Recipe

MEAN BEAN CHILLI

Use the beans you love in your family/have in your cupboards but note that this combination is a winning team in my book. You may snub the baked beans but they bring a certain sweetness to the table, trust me. the chocolate at the end is what brings it all together for me, just be sure to check there's no dairy in it. Often anything above 70% is safe but always check!

SERVES 4

PREP TIME 10 MIN | COOK TIME 15-30 MINS | TOTAL 25-40 MINS

INGREDIENTS

1 onion (chopped)

4 cloves garlic (crushed)

3-5 tomatoes (chopped)

2 tsp cumin

1/3 tsp smoked paprika

3 Tbsp tomato paste

1 can lentils (or cooked green/puy lentils)

1 can baked beans

1 can black beans

1 cup frozen sweetcorn (or a can)

2 Tbsp jar jalapenos (chopped)

1 cube dark chocolate* (grated)

2 Tbsp nutritional yeast*

* optional

METHOD

1. Take a nice big(ish) saucepan or casserole pot and fry the onion until starting to brown then add the garlic stirring for a minute or so more.

2. Add the spices (cumin and smoked paprika) and stir continuously for a minute until you start to really smell them.

3. Add the tomato paste, keep stirring!

4. Add the beans and lentils (don't drain them, we want all the liquid).

5. Add the fresh tomatoes, sweetcorn and jalapenos. Give it all a big stir. Simmer uncovered for 15-30 minutes (the longer the better). Make sure the beans are nice and tender. The sauce should be thick.

6. Add the chocolate, nutritional yeast and season with salt, stir to combine and take off the heat. Leave the lid on the pot until ready to dish up.

7. Serve with rice, baked potatoes, tortilla chips, crusty bread, avocado...