Tim's Great Chocolate Chili

Ingredients

• 2 lb. ground beef
• 2 jalapeno peppers
• sliced
• chopped
• 2 cans (1-3/4 lb. each) diced tomatoes
• 1 can (6 oz.) tomato paste
• 4 to 8 cloves garlic
• smashed silly
• 2 cans black beans
• 1/8 cup lime juice
• 1 bottle Samuel Adams lager
• 1 to 2 oz. dark chocolate
• 1 tsp. black pepper
• 1 tsp. cayenne pepper
• 1 tsp. cumin
• 1 tsp. thyme
• 1 tsp. basil
• 2 tsp. oregano
• 1 pkg. Williams chili seasoning
• 2 tsp. garlic powder
• 1 tsp. onion powder
• 2 tsp. dried parsley
• 1 tsp. dried cilantro
• 1/2 cup cocoa powder

Instructions

1. Assemble the spice mix into an airtight container ahead of time.
2. Most of these ingredients are approximate.
3. Inside a deep cast iron pot (about 7 qt.
4. ), on brown the meat on high heat to about medium doneness.
5. Add the beer and cocoa chili spice mix, stir it in really good and let cook for 5 minutes.
6. Add the beans.
7. Make a little space on the bottom of the pan.
8. Add the tomato paste.
9. Cook the paste for a minute, then mix everything in the pot together.
10. Add the diced tomatoes and garlic.
11. Keep stirring, keep a very slow boil or a simmer.
12. Add the lime juice and the dark chocolate pieces.
13. Let the heat from the chili melt the chocolate.
14. Stir and set the heat to low.
15. Partially cover and simmer for about 35-45 minutes, stirring occasionally.