Recipe: Healthy vegan cocoa quinoa chili

Vegan Cocoa Quinoa Chili - 1 of 3 delicious chocolate chilis served at the 5th Annual Ladies Society Chocolate Potluck.

Chocolate is an easy ingredient to incorporate into chili so it is a natural savory dish to include at the chocolate potluck. This year's attendees were treated to 3 different versions! This version is vegan, using quinoa in the role ground meat usually plays, making it healthier while still managing to be very rich and hearty.

Healthy Vegan Cocoa Quinoa Chili

Chop up 1 onion and 4 cloves garlic.
Brown in a little olive oil in a soup pot

Add
2 14-oz cans (petite) diced tomatoes & liquid
2 cups vegetable broth
1 cup brewed coffee
1 cup raw quinoa
1 Tablespoon balsamic vinegar
2 Tablespoons molasses
2 teaspoons salt
2 Tablespoons chili powder
1/2 cup cocoa powder.

Bring to a boil. Turn down heat. Cover and cook on low until quinoa is cooked (about 45 min), check periodically and add more liquid if it gets too thick

Add 1 15-oz can of kidney beans, drained and rinsed and 1 15-oz can of black beans, drained and rinsed and cook for a minute or two more

Add more salt, chili powder, cocoa powder, vinegar and/or molasses as needed to adjust flavor.

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by Sara Swanson

Sara Swanson is an editor, writer and founder of the Manchester Mirror.