Red Bean Chili with Jalapeño-Cheddar Waffle Bowls
Food and Drink

Recipe from Kevin Belton’s New Orleans Kitchen by Kevin Belton with Rhonda K. Findley, reprinted by permission of Gibbs Smith: photo by Eugenia Uhl

Red Bean Chili with Jalapeño-Cheddar Waffle Bowls

"A red bean chili is simply a classic hearty dish. I wanted to revisit this classic and use the red beans we are known for here in New Orleans. Making the waffle bowls means that you can eat everything on the plate! Even better when it’s made a day ahead. And it freezes well."

Kevin Belton
Serves: 6 to 8

 

For the Red Bean Chili:

2 tablespoons olive oil

1 pound ground bison or beef

1  1⁄2 cups chopped onions

2 tablespoons Creole seasoning

1 tablespoon minced garlic

1 cup beef stock

2 cups diced tomatoes

1 cup strong coffee

1 tablespoon tomato paste

1⁄4 cup brown sugar

1 tablespoon chili powder

1 tablespoon cocoa powder

1 jalapeño, seeded and diced

1  1⁄2 tablespoons ground cumin

1 teaspoon coriander

2 (15-ounce) cans red or kidney beans, rinsed and drained

 

For the Jalapeño-Cheddar Waffle Bowls:

1  1⁄2 cups all-purpose flour

2 teaspoons vegetable oil

1 cup cornmeal

1 cup finely grated cheddar cheese

2 teaspoons baking powder

1 tablespoon salt

1 teaspoon pepper

2 eggs, beaten

2 cups whole milk

2 jalapeños, seeded and diced

For the Red Bean Chili:

In a Dutch oven or large pot on medium heat, add the oil. When hot, add the meat and sauté, breaking up into crumbles until browned; remove to a bowl and set aside.

Add the onions and Creole seasoning and sauté for 1 minute. Add the garlic, stock, tomatoes, coffee, and tomato paste; stir well. Add the brown sugar, chili powder, cocoa powder, jalapeño, cumin, coriander, and beans. Stir well and return meat to the pot. Reduce the heat to low and simmer, partly covered for 1 hour. Taste and adjust seasoning.

Continue to simmer on low, stirring often. The longer the chili cooks, the richer and more flavorful it will become.

 

For the Jalapeño-Cheddar Waffle Bowls:

Heat the waffle iron according to manufacturer’s directions.

Combine the flour, oil, cornmeal, cheese, baking powder, salt, and pepper in a mixing bowl. Stir until the mixture is well-combined. Add the eggs, milk, and jalapeños; thoroughly combine. Scoop the batter into bowl-shaped waffle iron and cook according to manufacturer’s directions. Flat waffles will work fine, just scoop chili on top.