Mexican Big Bean Chilli with Cheesy Nacho Chips
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Prep: 15 mins
Cook: 30 mins
This hearty pot of chilli is absolutely full beans, lots of Mexican-inspired spice and a spoonful of cocoa for an authentic hit of flavour (any excuse for chocolate, really). Topped with sharp cheddar and crispy garlic, with crunchy tortilla chips on the side for scooping.
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974 kcal
(per portion)
Ingredients you'll need
  • 1 celery stick
  • 1 red onion
  • 3 garlic cloves
  • 1 carrot
  • 400g tin of aduki beans
  • 400g tin of haricot beans
  • 1 orange
  • 1½ tsp smoked paprika
  • 2 tsp ground cumin
  • 1 cinnamon stick
  • 400g tinned cherry tomatoes
  • 4 white tortillas
  • 100g cheddar
  • 1 tsp cocoa powder
From your kitchen
  • 1 tbsp olive or sunflower oil
  • Sea salt
  • 200ml cold water
  • Freshly ground pepper
Step by step this way
  • 1.

    Trim the celery. Peel the onion, 1 garlic clove and the carrot. Roughly dice everything. Heat a large pan over a medium heat for 1 min, then add ½ tbsp oil, the chopped veg, garlic and a pinch of salt. Cover and cook gently for 10 mins till softened.

  • 2.

    While the veg cook, drain the aduki and haricot beans in a colander and rinse. Grate the zest off the orange.

  • 3.

    Stir the orange zest into the veg with 1 tsp smoked paprika, 2 tsp ground cumin and the cinnamon stick. Stir for 1 min.

  • 4.

    Stir in the beans and the tinned cherry tomatoes. Half-fill the can with water (around 200ml) and pour into the pan. Season with a little pepper. Cover the pan and simmer for 15 mins, stirring now and then.

  • 5.

    While the chilli cooks, heat your oven to 180°C/ Fan 160°C/Gas 4. Chop the tortillas into around 8 triangles each and spread them out on 1 large or 2 medium baking trays.

  • 6.

    Coarsely grate the cheddar. Sprinkle half over the tortilla chips and dust them with ½ tsp smoked paprika. Slide them into the oven and bake for 5-10 mins till golden and the cheese is bubbling. Set to one side.

  • 7.

    While the tortillas bake, peel and thinly slice the remaining 2 garlic cloves. Heat ½ tbsp oil in a small pan over a low heat. When hot, add in the sliced garlic with a pinch of salt. Fry for 2 mins till golden and crisp. Remove from the pan with a slotted spoon and place on kitchen paper to drain.

  • 8.

    Add 1 tsp cocoa powder to the chilli. Stir, then taste again. It should taste rich and spicy. Add a little more cocoa, salt, pepper or smoked paprika if you think it needs it.

  • 9.

    Spoon the big bean chilli into 2 warm bowls. Top with the crisp garlic and the remaining cheddar. Serve with the tortilla chips on the side for scooping.

  • Tip

    Chocs away
    You can turn any leftover cocoa into hot chocolate. Warm a mug or milk (or almond or rice milk). Put the cocoa powder in a mug and slowly whisk in the hot milk. For a Mexican twist, add a pinch of cinnamon and chilli powder.

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