Smoky Black Bean Chilli Food

SMOKY SAUSAGE & BLACK BEAN CHILLI

Steps:

• Heat half the oil in a large pan and cook the sausages for 12-15 mins over a medium heat until brown all over and cooked through. Remove to a plate.
• Drizzle the rest of the oil into the pan and cook the onion and peppers for 10 mins, over a low heat stirring often until all the veg has softened.
• Stir in the garlic, all the spices and the chipotle paste, if using, and cook for another minute. Add the tomatoes, a canful of water, the ketchup and some seasoning. Bring to a simmer and cook for 20 mins half-covered with a lid or loosely covered with foil. Stir occasionally, topping up with water if the mixture starts to look too thick.
• Slice the cooked sausages into thick coins and return to the pan, then tip in the beans. Cook for another few minutes until heated through, then spoon into bowls and scatter with coriander leaves, if using, some grated cheese and a dollop of yogurt or soured cream. Serve with tortilla chips for scooping, as a filling for jacket potatoes, or over rice.

SLOW COOKER SPICY BLACK BEAN AND SWEET POTATO CHILI

Steps:

• In a 6- to 8-quart slow cooker, combine the sweet potatoes, black beans, tomatoes, orange juice, oil, chipotles and adobo sauce, brown sugar, lime juice, garlic cloves, and dried spices. Stir in 2 teaspoons salt, a generous amount of pepper and 1 cup water. Cook on low until the sweet potatoes are tender, about 8 hours. The chili holds well on the warm setting.
• Just before serving, stir in the corn and let it warm through, about 5 minutes. Taste and add more salt and pepper if necessary. Top with avocado and red onion.

SMOKY BLACK BEANS

Steps:

• Drain the black beans from their soaking water and place in a slow cooker. Fill with enough fresh water to cover them. Cover and set to High.
• Heat bacon drippings in a skillet over medium heat. Add onions; cook and stir until tender. Stir this into the beans along with the brown sugar, liquid smoke, molasses and jalapeno slices. Stir to blend, then cover and cook on High for 5 to 6 hours, or until beans are tender.

SPICY BLACK BEAN AND SWEET POTATO CHILI

Steps:

• In a large Dutch oven, warm the oil over medium-high heat. Add the onion, season with salt and cook, stirring occasionally, until the onion is translucent, about 5 minutes. Add the garlic and cook, stirring and adjusting the heat as needed to avoid burning, until fragrant, about 1 minute.
• Add the brown sugar, cumin, garlic and onion powders, and stir to combine. Add the orange juice and let it come to a simmer. Add the chipotles and adobo sauce, sweet potatoes, beans, tomatoes and lime juice. Season generously with black pepper and 2 teaspoons salt. Stir in 1 1/4 cups water and bring to a boil.
• Once the chili comes to a boil, decrease the heat to low to maintain a simmer. Cover the pot and cook until the sweet potatoes are tender, 30 to 45 minutes.
• Just before serving, stir in the corn and let it warm through. Taste and add more salt and pepper if necessary. Top with avocado and red onion.