Beat the cold with an easy chilli con carne soup

This is one of my favourite soup recipes — it’s rich, dark and filling with lots of different textures and tastes as if you’ve spent hours making it.

The beauty of it is that it is served with warm bread, toast or even flatbread, making it a filling supper. If you prefer you can omit the chilli though it does warm the cockles of the heart.

SPEEDY CHILLI CON CARNE SOUP

Serves: 4-6

Ingredients:

1 large onion, chopped

2 cloves of garlic, crushed

15ml (1 tbsp) oil

250g beef mince

1 x 400g can red kidney beans drained and rinsed

1 x 400g chopped tomatoes (or use a can of Mexican-flavoured tomatoes for extra bite)

1 litre beef stock

A pinch of dried chillies — or more to taste

Salt and black pepper

4 squares of dark chocolate or 15ml (1 tbsp) cocoa powder dissolved in 30ml (2 tbsp) hot water

To serve:

Fresh coriander 

Method:

1. Fry the onion and garlic in oil. Increase the heat and fry the mince until brown.
2. Stir in the beans, tomatoes, stock and chillies. Bring to the boil, reduce the heat to a gentle simmer and cook for 30-40 minutes stirring from time to time.
3. Season to taste, add the chocolate or cocoa and cook for a further 15 minutes over a low heat.
4. Garnish with coriander and serve with flatbread, bread or toast.

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