Did You Know? Chorizo is ground pork sausage that has been flavored with a blend of spices, including garlic and chili powder. Mexican chorizo is made with fresh pork, and Spanish chorizo is made with smoked pork. Use either for this recipe, or if chorizo is unavailable, substitute Italian sausage or pork sausage, realizing that the flavor will be slightly different.

Black_Bean__Chorizo_Chili_L_2Black Bean and Chorizo Chili
Prep Time: 20 Minutes
Start to Finish: 45 Minutes

1 lb chorizo sausage, casing removed and crumbled, or bulk chorizo sausage
1 large onion, chopped
1 large yellow or green bell pepper, chopped
2 cloves garlic, chopped
Two 14.5-oz cans organic fire roasted tomatoes or regular diced tomatoes, undrained
1 cup water
15-oz can black beans, drained, rinsed
1 T chopped chipotle chiles in adobo sauce
1 T chili powder
1 t ground cumin
Crumbled white Mexican cheese (such as queso fresco), if desired

In 4-quart Dutch oven, cook sausage over medium-high heat 8 to 10 minutes or until browned; drain well. Add onion, bell pepper and garlic; cook 4 to 5 minutes, stirring frequently, until vegetables are crisp-tender.

Stir in tomatoes, water, beans, chiles, chili powder and cumin. Heat to boiling. Reduce heat to low; simmer uncovered about 25 minutes, stirring occasionally, until slightly thickened. Serve with cheese.

8 servings (1 cup each)

One serving: Calories 300 (Calories from Fat 200); Total Fat 22g (Saturated Fat 8g); Cholesterol 50mg; Sodium 970mg; Potassium 330mg; Total Carbohydrate 10g (Dietary Fiber 2g); Protein 15g
% Daily Value: Vitamin A 20%; Vitamin C 30%; Calcium 4%; Iron 10%; Vitamin D 6%; Folic Acid 4%

Recipe and photo Courtesy of Muir Glen, a Registered Trademark of Small Planet Foods, Inc.

We tested this recipe using Muir Glen fire roasted tomatoes, Cacique beef chorizo and Art of Chipotle Gourmet Paste with Adobe and served it over brown rice, skipping the cheese.  It’s a delcious spicy stew, perfect to take the chill of of a fall day – bonnie