MaryLee's Healthy Food and Easy Cooking - Chilli

Hello again,

On cold rainy summer days there is nothing better than to snuggle in a comfortable chair and watch your favourite movie eating a lovely bowl of chilli.

Here is my recipe I like to use chicken rather than beef for a healthier choice.

2 – 4 chicken breast cubed
½ cup kidneys beans
½ cup butter beans
½ cup pinto beans
2 - 400g tin chopped tomato or 8 – 10 ripe tomatoes blanched, skinned and chopped
¼ cup tomato paste
1 medium onion chopped
2 clove garlic chopped
2 celery sticks chopped
2 carrots chopped
2 cups chicken stock
1 hot chilli pepper seeded and chopped or 1 teaspoon dried chilli flakes
1 tablespoon chilli powder
1 tablespoon worcestershire sauce
1 teaspoon ground black pepper
½ teaspoon salt

If using dried beans be sure to soak them 8 hrs before using. Once soaked rinse and in large sauce pan place beans cover with water and bring to boil, removing any foam that forms. Boil for approximately 10 minutes then drain.

Remove beans and in same large saucepan brown chicken and onion, add garlic and chilli stirring until softened.

Add the tomatoes, tomato paste, chilli powder, worcestershire sauce and mix well.

Add the beans, celery, carrots salt, pepper and stock.

Cover and gently simmer for 2 - 3 hours – if using tin beans then only need to simmer for 1 – 2 hours.

May add some more stock if it becomes dry during simmering, however, if this is happening then lower the temperature.

May use lean beef ground or cubed instead of chicken.

Great for freezing as well. Freeze in portion size.