The Chilli Bowl. The Ultimate Comfort Dinner

The Chilli Bowl. The Ultimate Comfort Dinner

Fast, warming, packed with goodness and easy to customise for every eater at the table. This is my go-to for a feel-good weeknight meal, and the final dish in my Good Food to Boost Your Mood series. Let’s learn how to make it.

Ingredients

For the Base:

• 1 onion, diced

• 1 carrot, diced

• 3 cloves of garlic, finely chopped

• 1 can chopped tomatoes

• 1 can mixed beans (juice and all!)

• 1 tsp ground cinnamon

• 1 tsp ground cumin

• 2 tsp chipotle chillies in adobo sauce

• Olive oil, for cooking

For the Toppings (Mix & Match!):

• Fried egg

• Diced seared steak

• Ripe avocado, sliced

• Grated cheese

• Sour cream

• Tomato & coriander salsa

• Tortilla chips or rice (optional)

Method

1. Prep & Sauté

• Dice your onion, carrot, and garlic.

• Heat a splash of olive oil in a large pan over medium heat.

• Add the chopped veg and gently sauté for about 5 minutes, until soft and fragrant.

2. Add the Spice

• Stir in the cinnamon, cumin, and chipotle in adobo.

• Cook for 2–3 minutes, letting the spices wake up and fill your kitchen with warmth.

3. Build the Stew

• Add your can of tomatoes, stir, and cook down for a few minutes to intensify the flavour.

• Tip in the mixed beans, including all the liquid, this adds flavour and body.

• Let the chilli simmer on low until it thickens to a stew-like consistency. This only takes about 10–15 minutes.

4. Serve & Top It Your Way

Ladle the hot chilli into bowls and let everyone customise their own. My go-to combo is:

• A crispy fried egg on top

• A few slices of avocado

• Some juicy diced steak

• A spoonful of sour cream

• Handful of grated cheese

• Tomato and coriander salsa to finish

Packed with protein from the beans, and even more from the egg and steak, it’s a hug in a bowl.

This dinner is so easy, so nourishing, and guaranteed to lift your spirits.
It’s comfort food that loves you back.

Enjoy

Del x