Three Cheese Black Bean Chili with Cheddar Crust

Makes 8 servings
Prep Time: 20 min
Cook Time: 120 min

Ingredients

• 2 large onions, diced
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1/4 cup tomato paste
• 1 tbsp chili powder
• 1 tbsp cocoa powder
• 1 tsp cumin seed
• 3 medium carrots, chopped
• 2 ribs celery, sliced
• 3 small jalapeño peppers, seeded and minced
• 128-ounce can crushed tomatoes
• 2 cups cooked or canned black beans, rinsed
• 6-12oz. tomato juice
• 1 cup (4 oz.) shredded Mozzarella cheese
• 1 cup (4 oz.) reduced fat shredded Monterey Jack cheese
• 1 cup (4 oz.) shredded sharp Cheddar cheese

Directions

Sauté onions in oil over medium high heat in large saucepan until translucent, about three minutes. Add tomato paste, chili powder, cocoa powder, and cumin, and cook until mixture caramelizes to a dark brown, about ten minutes. Stir in carrots, celery and jalapeños and stir to coat. Add crushed tomatoes and beans. Stir in tomato juice to your preferred consistency. Simmer for at least an hour, but only up to two hours.

Preheat broiler. Stir Mozzarella and Monterey Jack cheese into chili and top with shredded Cheddar. Broil until cheese is bubbly, about four minutes.

Nutrition Facts

• Calories: 300
• Total Fat: 14 g
• Saturated Fat: 6 g
• Cholesterol: 35 mg
• Sodium: 550 mg
• Calcium: 35% Daily Value
• Protein: 17 g
• Carbohydrates: 28 g
• Dietary Fiber: 8 g