Served at the 2016 Chocolate Wine Trail
Ingredients (serves 6-8)
1⁄2 lb. dried pinto beans, soaked overnight and drained
1 bay leaf
1 tbsp. unsweetened cocoa powder
2 tsp. dried oregano
2 tsp. ground cumin
1 tsp. paprika
1⁄2 tsp. ground cinnamon
1 lb. boneless beef chuck, trimmed and cut into 1″ cubes
Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
1⁄4 cup olive oil
4 cloves garlic, chopped
2 large white onions, chopped
1 (6-oz.) can tomato paste
1 (15-oz.) can crushed tomatoes
1 (12-oz.) can chocolate stout beer
1 1⁄2 tbsp. brown sugar
2 cups chicken stock
Semisweet chocolate pieces for garnish
Instructions
Put beans and bay leaf into a large pot and cover with 3″ water; bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium-low; cook, covered, and stirring occasionally, until beans are tender, 60-90 minutes. Drain beans, discarding bay leaf; set aside.
Heat a 6-qt. pot over medium-high heat. Pour beer in a blender with cocoa, oregano, cumin, paprika, and cinnamon and puree until smooth. Set sauce aside.
(Could also add a can of chilies)
Add oil to pan and return to medium-high heat. Season beef with salt and pepper and, working in batches, add beef to pan; cook, stirring occasionally, until browned on all sides, 4–6 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, transfer beef to a bowl. Add garlic and onions to pan; cook, stirring occasionally, until golden, about 4 minutes. Add tomato paste; cook, stirring until slightly caramelized, about 2 minutes. Add reserved sauce, cook until slightly reduced, about 3 minutes. Return beef to pot, plus tomatoes, sugar, and stock; bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium-low; cook until beef is very tender, 1-1 ½ hours. Stir in reserved beans, and salt, and pepper to taste.
To serve garnish with Chocolate Chips.
Serve with OakGlenn Red Muscadine wine.
