The weather is finally starting to cool down here, & I can’t think of a better way to welcome it than with a big pot of steaming chilli, topped with mounds of sour cream & extra cheese. My absolute favourite way to eat my chilli is by scooping it up with grilled cheese dippers! Have you tried it? I promise, you won’t want to go back to using a spoon ever again!

Serves 4-6

Ingredients:

1 tbs oil

500g beef mince

1 large onion, diced

2 cloves garlic, crushed

1 ts ground cumin

1 ts chilli flakes, (optional) more if desired

400g tinned mexican beans (black, pinto & kidney)

800g whole tinned tomatoes

1 cup beef broth

1 ts cocoa powder

Grilled Cheese Dippers:

8 slices of bread

2 cups freshly grated cheddar cheese

Room temperature butter, for spreading on the bread

Method:

Set a large pot over a high heat, & add a tablespoon of oil.

Once the oil begins to shimmer, add in the beef mince, breaking it up as it cooks.

Season with salt & pepper.

Once the mince is browned & cooked through, reduce the heat to medium, add in the diced onion & cook until fragrant.

Next, add in the garlic & cumin & chilli flakes if using & cook for one minute, stirring continuisly.

Add in the beans, including the juice from the can, the beef broth & tomatoes.

Mix well.

Add in the cocao powder & give it all a good stir.

Cover, reduce heat to low & let simmer for 35-45 minutes

To make the grilled cheese dippers:

Spread your desired amount of butter onto one side of each piece of bread.

With the buttered side facing down, spread 1/2 cup of cheese onto four of the buttered slices (using all of the cheese, less if you desire).

Top the sandwiches with the ramaining slices of bread, making sure the buttered side is facing up.

Heat a large frying pan to a medium heat.

One at a time, place the sandwich in the pan, cooking for 2-3 mintues either side, or until the outside is golden brown & the inside is all gooey & melted.

Repeat with remaining sandwiches.

Slice sandwiches into rectangles & transfer to a plate.

Top chilli with extra grated cheese, sour cream & optionally thinly sliced spring onion. Dip grilled cheese dippers into the chilli & enjoy!