I entirely blame my friend Sarah for the fact that I have developed a bit of a Westfield habit and spend quite a bit of time both Westfield London and Westfield Stratford City (I also use the Apple store – iStore – as my main reference point in both shopping centres – again down to Sarah, or more likely Ted).
As part of the new Westfield We are Dining campaign, which runs until the 28th February, offering a number of excellent discounts and offers at both shopping centres; we were challenged to visit Westfield London, try a signature dish from on of the restaurants and then try to “beat the chef” when reproducing it at home.
We went to sample Chilli con Carne from 1910 Mexican Kitchen; which we really enjoyed, and is a relatively simple dish to recreate at home. Our recreation of the dish used chunks of beef rather than mince, black beans in place of kidney and was slowly cooked. Spice levels were lower, but richer due to the use of the speciality smoky chilli, and a black bean paste thickened the sauce. A trick I have recently learnt is to serve a wedge of lime with chilli – it pairs amazingly well.
The Best Chilli Con Carne
Ingredients
- 2 tbs vegetable oil
- 450 g diced stewing steak
- 1 tsp coriander seeds
- 1 tsp cumin seeds
- 4 cardamom pods
- 2 onions ( finely chopped)
- 3 cloves garlic (chopped)
- 4 squares dark chocolate
- 2 tsp smoked chilli paste or ground chipotle – I used Gran Luchito 400g can chopped tomatoes
- 400 g tin of black beans
To serve
- 50 – 75g of dried rice per person cooked as per packet instructions
- 1 avocado – peeled (de stoned and diced)
- small bunch of coriander
- 170 ml pot of soured cream
- 1 lime cut into wedges
- Tortilla chips
Instructions
- Heat the oil in a flame-proof casserole dish. Fry the steak gently to brown each piece. Do this in stages rather than try to cook all the meat at once. Remove the cooked meat from the pot and set aside on a plate.
- Lightly crush the coriander seed, cumin and cardamom in a pestle and mortar or in a spice grinder. Then add the spices to the casserole dish and fry until they release their fragrance.
- Add the onion and fry for a couple of minutes. Then add the garlic and fry until both the onion and the garlic are soft.
- Return the meat to the pan.
- Add the chocolate, chilli paste and tinned tomatoes. Stir, put the lid on the casserole, and turn the heat right down. You may want to use a heat diffuser if you find it hard to get a very low heat.
- Allow the chilli to simmer gently for 90 minutes to 2 hours, until the steak is tender and is starting to fall apart.
- Drain the tin of black beans, reserving half the liquid. Add half the beans to the chilli.
- Use a stick blender to blitz the remainder of the beans together with the bean liquid to make a thick paste. Add this to the chilli con carne and stir through.Serve garnished with finely chopped coriander and a wedge of fresh lime.
Notes
- I like a smoky chilli, but the smokiness is completely optional. This chilli con carne recipe is delicious, even if you prefer to use ordinary chillies and leave the smoke out.
- To get the smoky flavour, ideally use smoked chillies. If these prove hard to find, you can use a smoked salt (widely available in supermarkets now) or a dash of liquid smoke (find it on the same shelf as the barbecue marinades).
- I far prefer the texture of the chunks of beef in my chilli. You can use mince instead if you prefer. It needs less cooking time.
- You can easily add an extra can of beans or two and some extra tomatoes to expand the dish and make it more frugal.
- HELEN - SOMETHING ON STORAGE IF YOU HAVE TOO MUCH FOR ONE SITTING?
This is a sponsored post and recipe development commission. All opinion are our own.
If you like this recipe, then try my healthy, tasty and filling 5 bean chilli recipe.
Sarah, Maison Cupcake
Ha ha, yes tis true to say, Westfield is my second home and I am looking forward to blogging my own experience soon.
I’m not sure whether it’s politic for me to agree I like your chilli better? Do you offer 200 shops and 70+ restaurants at your flat too? Can I go shopping first then come round to yours on way home? ;-)
Helen
You may come round any time Sarah. All that shopping deserves a glass of fizz after.
Anne
Mmm I love chilli! such a lovely big bowl of comfort food!
I made it a while back using stewing steak too, is miles better than mince! Love the sound of the smoked chilli paste too!
Helen
We have some more in the freezer, perfect for a cold winter’s evening.
The Gran Luchito is wonderful.
Nayna Kanabar
What a wonderful challenge so glad yours turned out better.I will try a veggie version with beans and vegetables.
Helen
I do a wicked 5 bean chilli. The blitzed beans trick works well in a veggie chilli too.
Rachel Palmer
Mmmm I love a good bowl of chilli and consider myself a bit of a connoisseur . I’ll definitely be trying this recipe. x
Helen
Do let me know how it goes Rachel.
lisa prince
I absolutly adore chilli con carni, but my husband and little ones are not fans of chilli beans which i think are essential lol, i really should make it some day even if its fro myself , on jacket potatoe is my fave x
Helen
Try them with different beans, I far prefer the black beans, their skins are far softer.
Katie Bryson
Just looking at this blog post has warmed my cockles… love a good chilli and your recipe sounds brilliant. A great way to use some of my Gran Luchito paste :-) I shall def be making a veggie version for Matthew to take to work.
Helen
There is nothing like a good chilli. I do a 5 bean version too and use the blitz black beans trick for that too.
Ren Behan
Great video and some handy tips in there, I like the idea of whizzing up some of the beans – no waste at all from the can. I’m sure you definitely gave the Westfield chef a run for his money!
Helen
Thanks Ren. The video is all down to Ed’s editing.
Jacqueline Meldrum
We mostly eat chilli on wraps with salad, but you have tempted me to go back to having it with rice and some extras on the side.
Helen
The difference that the wedge of lime makes is astonishing! Am sure the whizz up the beans trick would work for a veggie chilli too.
Tina @ The Spicy Pear
Fantastic video. I’m going to add chocolate to my chilli next time. Love your chopsticks ? you use to stir the ingredients.
Helen
It is actually some tongs, not chopsticks, but a very good way to stir.