Adding chocolate to your chili? Yes, you read the title correctly.  Did you know the polyphenols and flavonoids in chocolate can lower your risk of heart disease by 20% and keep LDL (Bad) cholesterol from oxidizing into an artery-damaging form?

Semisweet and dark chocolate have more beneficial compounds than other chocolates so toss in a healthy dose of antioxidants into your chili recipe.

Simply add a chunk of your favorite dark or semisweet chocolate (or 2/3 cups of chocolate chips) to your chili; continue to cook and  stir frequently until chocolate is completely dissolved.

Here’s a tasty Heart Healthy Chili recipe of mine that is perfect for a cold January day like today.

Ingredients

• 2 Tbsp. olive oil
• 1 (15 oz.) can green chilies
• 7 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 red bell peppers, chopped
• 1 large sweet onion, chopped
• 1 (15 oz.) can Organic tomato sauce
• 2 large fresh Roma tomatoes, diced
• 1 can black beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 can pinto beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 can cannellini beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 can chick peas, drained and rinsed
• 4 Tbsp. chili powder
• 1/4 cup dark chocolate or semi-sweet chocolate chips
• 3 Tbsp. dried cilantro
• 1/8 tsp. allspice
• 1/8 tsp. cloves
• Sea salt and pepper, to taste
• Optional Toppings: plain Greek yogurt, nutritional yeast, ground flax seeds

Directions

• In a large stockpot over medium heat, add oil; let warm for about 1 minute.
• Add green chilies, garlic, red bell peppers and onion; saute until onions are translucent.
• Stir in chili powder, chocolate chips, cilantro, allspice and cloves.  Slowly add diced tomatoes and tomato sauce; simmer for 20 minutes.
• Add all beans; continue to cook for another 25 minutes.
• Transfer chili to bowls and serve warm;  season with sea salt and pepper, to taste.
• Enjoy with a dollop of plain Greek yogurt and a sprinkle of nutritional yeast and ground flax seeds.