Best Chilli Recipes

CHILLI CON CARNE RECIPE

Steps:

• Prepare your vegetables. Chop 1 large onion into small dice, about 5mm square. The easiest way to do this is to cut the onion in half from root to tip, peel it and slice each half into thick matchsticks lengthways, not quite cutting all the way to the root end so they are still held together. Slice across the matchsticks into neat dice.
• Cut 1 red pepper in half lengthways, remove stalk and wash the seeds away, then chop. Peel and finely chop 2 garlic cloves.
• Start cooking. Put your pan on the hob over a medium heat. Add 1 tbsp oil and leave it for 1-2 minutes until hot (a little longer for an electric hob).
• Add the onion and cook, stirring fairly frequently, for about 5 minutes, or until the onion is soft, squidgy and slightly translucent.
• Tip in the garlic, red pepper, 1 heaped tsp hot chilli powder or 1 level tbsp mild chilli powder, 1 tsp paprika and 1 tsp ground cumin.
• Give it a good stir, then leave it to cook for another 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
• Brown 500g lean minced beef. Turn the heat up a bit, add the meat to the pan and break it up with your spoon or spatula. The mix should sizzle a bit when you add the mince.
• Keep stirring and prodding for at least 5 minutes, until all the mince is in uniform, mince-sized lumps and there are no more pink bits. Make sure you keep the heat hot enough for the meat to fry and become brown, rather than just stew.
• Make the sauce. Crumble 1 beef stock cube into 300ml hot water. Pour this into the pan with the mince mixture.
• Add a 400g can of chopped tomatoes. Tip in ½ tsp dried marjoram, 1 tsp sugar and add a good shake of salt and pepper. Squirt in about 2 tbsp tomato purée and stir the sauce well.
• Simmer it gently. Bring the whole thing to the boil, give it a good stir and put a lid on the pan. Turn down the heat until it is gently bubbling and leave it for 20 minutes.
• Check on the pan occasionally to stir it and make sure the sauce doesn't catch on the bottom of the pan or isn't drying out. If it is, add a couple of tablespoons of water and make sure that the heat really is low enough. After simmering gently, the saucy mince mixture should look thick, moist and juicy.
• Drain and rinse a 410g can of red kidney beans in a sieve and stir them into the chilli pot. Bring to the boil again, and gently bubble without the lid for another 10 minutes, adding a little more water if it looks too dry.
• Taste a bit of the chilli and season. It will probably take a lot more seasoning than you think.
• Now replace the lid, turn off the heat and leave your chilli to stand for 10 minutes before serving. This is really important as it allows the flavours to mingle.
• Serve with soured cream and plain boiled long grain rice.

CRISPY CHILLI BEEF

Steps:

• Put 350g thin-cut minute steak strips in a bowl and toss in 3 tbsp cornflour and 2 tsp Chinese five-spice powder.
• Heat 100ml vegetable oil in a wok or large frying pan until hot, then add the beef and fry until golden and crisp.
• Scoop out the beef and drain on kitchen paper. Pour away all but 1 tbsp oil.
• Add 1 thinly sliced red pepper, ½ thinly sliced red chilli, sliced white ends of 4 spring onions, 2 crushed garlic cloves and thumb-sized piece ginger, cut into matchsticks, to the pan. Stir-fry for 3 mins to soften, but don't let the garlic and ginger burn.
• Mix the 4 tbsp rice wine vinegar or white wine vinegar, 1 tbsp soy sauce, 2 tbsp sweet chilli sauce and 2 tbsp tomato ketchup in a jug with 2 tbsp water, then pour over the veg.
• Bubble for 2 mins, then add the beef back to the pan and toss well to coat.
• Serve the beef on noodles with prawn crackers, if you like, scattered with the remaining ½ sliced red chilli and sliced green parts of the spring onions.

SIMPLE CHILLI CHICKEN RECIPE BY TASTY

Steps:

• Season the chicken with salt and pepper.
• Cut the chicken into thin strips then coat in the egg wash and flour.
• Shallow fry for a few minutes on each side, until golden brown.
• Add the peppers and fry for another couple of minutes. Remove the chicken and peppers and set aside.
• In the same pan, add the garlic, red chilli, soy sauce, tomato purée, and water. Stir and simmer the mixture reduces and is thick and syrupy.
• Add back in the chicken and peppers and stir well in the sauce.
• Serve with rice.
• Enjoy!

FIVE-BEAN CHILLI

Steps:

• Heat the oil in a casserole dish and fry the onion and peppers for 10 mins over a medium heat until the onion is golden brown. Add the garlic and spices, and fry for 1 min. Pour in the tomatoes, both cans of beans, 50ml water, then add the sugar and season. Simmer, stirring regularly, for 15-20 mins until thickened.
• Meanwhile, cook the rice following pack instructions. Serve the chilli on the rice and scatter over the coriander. Top with a spoonful of soured cream, or guacamole, if you like.

CRAB LINGUINE WITH CHILLI & PARSLEY

Steps:

• Bring a large pan of salted water to the boil and add the linguine. Give it a good stir and boil for 1 min less than the pack says. Stir well occasionally so it doesn't stick.
• While the pasta cooks, gently heat 3 tbsp of olive oil with the chilli and garlic in a pan large enough to hold all the pasta comfortably. Cook the chilli and garlic very gently until they start to sizzle, then turn up the heat and add the white wine. Simmer everything until the wine and olive oil come together. Then take off the heat and add the brown crabmeat, using a wooden spatula or spoon to mash it into the olive oil to make a thick sauce.
• When the pasta has had its cooking time, taste a strand - it should have a very slight bite. When it's ready, turn off the heat. Place the sauce on a very low heat and use a pair of kitchen tongs to lift the pasta from the water into the sauce.
• Off the heat, add the white crabmeat and parsley to the pasta with a sprinkling of sea salt. Stir everything together really well, adding a drop of pasta water if it's starting to get claggy. Taste for seasoning and, if it needs a slight lift, add a small squeeze of lemon. Serve immediately twirled into pasta bowls and drizzled with the remaining oil.

SWEET CHILLI JAM

Steps:

• Tip the peppers, chillies (with seeds), ginger and garlic into a food processor, then whizz until very finely chopped. Scrape into a heavy-bottomed pan with the tomatoes, sugar and vinegar, then bring everything to the boil. Skim off any scum that comes to the surface, then turn the heat down to a simmer and cook for about 50 mins, stirring occasionally.
• Once the jam is becoming sticky, continue cooking for 10-15 mins more, stirring frequently so that it doesn't catch and burn. It should now look like thick, bubbling lava. Cool slightly, transfer to sterilised jars, then leave to cool completely. Keeps for 3 months in a cool, dark cupboard - refrigerate once opened.

SLOW COOKER CHILLI CON CARNE

Steps:

• Set the slow cooker to low. Heat 1½ tbsp oil in a large, non-stick pan over a high heat and fry the mince for 10-12 mins or until evenly browned. Tip into the slow cooker.
• Heat the remaining oil in the pan. Fry the onion, celery and pepper for 10 mins or until softened. Add the garlic, cumin and paprika and fry for 1 min. Tip into the slow cooker.
• Stir in the oregano, chipotle paste, tomato purée, tomatoes and stock. Season. Cover and cook for 6-8 hrs.
• Stir in the beans and chocolate during the final 30 mins of cooking. Serve with a bowl of rice or tortilla chips and a dollop of soured cream.

FEED-A-CROWD CHUNKY BEEF CHILLI

Steps:

• Drain the chillies and discard the seeds and stalks. Roughly chop and put in the small bowl of a food processor with the garlic, 2 tbsp of the oil, the red wine vinegar, cumin and oregano. Whizz to a paste.
• Put the meat in a bowl or resealable food bag, pour on the paste and rub all over the meat. Leave to marinate overnight (or for at least 4 hrs).
• Heat oven to 160C/140C fan/gas 3. Heat the remaining oil in a large, lidded flameproof casserole dish and cook the onions for a few mins until beginning to soften. Add the meat and all the paste to the dish and cook for about 5 mins, turning the meat until browned all over. Pour in the tomatoes and add the cinnamon. Stir everything together, then add 100ml water and bring to the boil. Put on the lid, transfer to the oven and cook for 1 hr 45 mins.
• Remove the lid and stir in the red peppers, chocolate, sugar and all the beans. Return to the oven for another 20 mins. To serve, stir in the lime zest and juice, season to taste, and scatter over the coriander.

SPICY CHILLI BEAN SOUP

Steps:

• Heat the oil in a deep saucepan and fry the chopped onion over a medium heat until tender. Add the garlic and tomato purée, stirring for 1-2 mins until combined. Sprinkle in the spices and cook for another 1 min.
• Tip in the chopped tomatoes, half fill the can with water, and add to the pan. Pour in the stock and simmer on a medium heat for 10-15 mins, uncovered. Season, then whizz using a hand blender until smooth. Add the beans and red pepper, and cook for another 15 mins until the pepper is tender.
• Serve in bowls topped with a small pile of tortilla chips and a lime wedge.

SINGAPORE CHILLI CRAB RECIPE BY TASTY

Steps:

• Prepare the crab by removing the base flap, then pull off the head and clear out the cavity. Keep the head in a bowl. Moving to the body of the crab, remove the gills, which are an opaque brown colour on both sides of the crab. Using a sharp knife, cut the crab in half down the middle, then divide into six parts. Using the knife, crack the crab legs open to allow the flavours to enhance while cooking. Add to the bowl with the head then set aside.
• In a food processor, add shallots, ginger, red chillies, garlic, ketchup, and shrimp paste, then pulse until it comes together and forms a paste.
• Heat oil in a wok over medium heat, then once it comes up to temperature fry add the chilli paste and cook for five minutes, stirring occasionally.
• Add the crab pieces into the wok and stir until they are fully coated. Give the crab time to start turning orange, approximately 5 minutes.
• Add the tomato puree, chicken stock, rice wine vinegar, sweet chilli sauce, soy sauce and palm sugar, then stir until completely mixed. The crab should be fully orange by now. Add a lid on top and allow the mixture to simmer for 15 minutes.
• Remove the crab legs and head, and plate up on a shallow dish.
• Add butter, spring onions, and egg. Let the egg sit for a minute before stirring, then give the sauce a quick stir. The sauce should thicken up quickly.
• Pour the sauce on top of the crab and garnish with a few sprigs of coriander.
• Enjoy!

SWEET CHILLI SAUCE

Steps:

• Tip all the ingredients except the sugar into a mini chopper or blender and blend to a chunky sauce. Scrape the contents into a shallow saucepan with the sugar and 100ml water and bring to a simmer.
• Simmer for 15 mins, stirring occasionally until it becomes syrupy. Keeping a close eye on it, continue to simmer and stir for 5 mins more until it easily coats the back of the spoon and you see the bottom of the pan when you stir. Leave to cool and infuse for 1-2 hours. Will keep in a small sterilised jar for up to a month.

MUSSELS WITH TOMATOES & CHILLI

Steps:

• Put the tomatoes in a heatproof bowl. Cover with boiling water, leave for 3 mins, then drain and peel. Quarter the tomatoes and scoop out and discard the seeds using a teaspoon. Roughly chop the tomato flesh.
• Heat the oil in a large pan with a tight- fitting lid. Add the garlic, shallot and chilli, then gently fry for 2-3 mins until softened. Pour in the wine and add the tomatoes, paste, sugar and seasoning (mussels are naturally salty so take care with the salt). Stir well and simmer for 2 mins.
• Tip in the mussels and give them a stir. Cover tightly and steam for 3-4 mins, shaking the pan halfway through, until the shells have opened.
• Discard any shells that remain shut, then divide the mussels between two bowls and add the basil leaves. Provide a large bowl for the empty shells.

PULLED CHICKEN & BLACK BEAN CHILLI

Steps:

• Heat the oil in a shallow saucepan or casserole dish with a lid. Tip in the onions and cook over a medium-low heat for 5 mins until softened. Add the chicken and turn up the heat to medium. Stir in the garlic, a small pinch of sugar, the oregano, cumin seeds and some seasoning. Cook for a couple of minutes, then add the chipotle and cook for a few minutes more. Pour in the passata, 100ml water and add the stock. Season and bring to a simmer.
• Cover with a lid and cook for 40-50 mins, stirring occasionally until the chicken is tender. Shred the chicken into the sauce using two forks, then stir through the beans. Simmer for 5 mins more, then turn off the heat. Squeeze in the lime juice. Can be kept chilled for three days and frozen for up to two months. Defrost thoroughly and reheat. Serve with rice or tortilla wraps, and some coriander, feta, lime wedges and red onion on the side, if you like.

CHILLI FOR A CROWD

Steps:

• If using dried beans and not freezing the chilli, rinse and pick over the beans, then soak them overnight in plenty of water. Rinse again, and tip into a large pan with enough water to cover by 5cm and bring to the boil. Boil briskly for 10 mins, then turn down the heat and simmer gently for 30 mins or until tender. Drain and set aside.
• Heat the olive oil in a large, heavy-based lidded pan and brown the pork, then the beef, in 4 batches, scooping into a bowl as you go. Slice the bacon into strips. Add to the empty pan and cook gently to begin with, raising the heat as the bacon crisps. Scoop the bacon out of the pan, stir in the onions, garlic, celery and the bay leaves, and cook, stirring occasionally, until the onions are soft but hardly coloured - about 20 mins.
• Quarter the lemons lengthways, cut out the pithy core and remove the seeds. Chop into very small pieces, each with a bit of peel. Stir the chilli powder, cumin and oregano into the onions and stir-fry for a couple of mins, then return the meat, adding the tomato purée, chopped tomatoes, lemon, wine and stock. Stir as the dish heats up, then simmer, covered, for 1 hr 30 mins. Taste and adjust the seasoning. Can be frozen at this stage for up to 1 month - defrost overnight in the fridge before continuing with the recipe.
• Add the beans to the pan - if you're using canned beans, rinse them first. Cook, uncovered, for a further 30 mins. Can be cooled at this stage and kept covered in the fridge for 24 hrs.
• Tip the soured cream into a bowl, snip the chives into small pieces then scatter them over the soured cream, cover and refrigerate until serving.
• To make the guacamole, halve the avocados lengthways, remove the stone and use a fork to mash the flesh into its shell. Scoop out into a bowl, mashing further if necessary (I like it lumpy). Add the chillies, onions and the garlic crushed to a paste with a little salt. Squeeze over the juice of 3 limes, season with black pepper and add the chopped coriander. Mix, adding extra lime juice to taste. Cover with cling film, allowing it to touch the surface. Chill until required.
• To prepare the couscous, boil the kettle and measure 750ml water into a mixing bowl. Add the lemon juice, olive oil and couscous. Stir, cover with cling film and leave to soak for 30 mins, then fluff up with a fork.
• Prepare the corn chips up to 1 hr before serving. Spread the chips on baking sheets, scatter over the cheese and place under a hot grill for 2-4 mins until molten and crusty. Transfer to a serving bowl. Serve with the chilli, couscous, guacamole, soured cream and chives and some coriander leaves sprinkled over the top, if you like.

PEACH & CHILLI CHUTNEY

Steps:

• Heat the oil in a large pan, add the onion and cook for a few mins until starting to soften. Add the remaining ingredients, increase the heat and stir to dissolve the sugar. Reduce the heat and simmer, uncovered, until most of the liquid has evaporated and the peaches have softened - this will take about 45 mins. Meanwhile, sterilise your jars (see tip, below).
• Transfer the chutney to the jars, seal and leave to cool before eating. The chutney can be stored in a cool dry place for up to 1 year. Once opened, keep in the fridge and eat within 4 weeks.

KOREAN CHILLI, SESAME & HONEY CHICKEN

Steps:

• Toss the chicken in the soy sauce, sesame oil and ginger. Thread each thigh on two long metal skewers, so that each skewer pierces one side of the thigh. Keep threading the chicken, making sure it's packed onto the skewers tightly. Chill until you're ready to cook. Mix the ingredients for the glaze.
• Heat the BBQ. If using a coal BBQ, wait for the coals to turn ashen before you start cooking. Cook the kebab for 5-8 mins on each side (depending on the heat). Once nicely charred but not fully cooked through, start painting on the glaze. The honey will catch if cooked for too long - the key to nice sticky chicken is applying the glaze in layers, turning the kebab often.
• Once the glaze has been used up and the chicken is cooked through (it'll take about 20 mins in total), transfer to a plate and leave to cool for 5 mins before serving scattered with spring onions.

BUTTERY CHILLI PRAWNS

Steps:

• Melt the butter and oil together in a frying pan. Add the garlic, chilli and paprika, then fry for 1-2 mins until starting to turn golden. Turn up the heat, throw in the prawns and fry for a few mins, stirring, until all the prawns turn pink. Take off the heat, season and stir in the lemon juice and parsley.
• Add some lemon slices to a finger bowl of warm water, grab a bowl for the shells, then dig straight in with your fingers and hunks of crusty bread.

CRAB, LIME & CHILLI TOASTS

Steps:

• Heat oven to 200C/180C fan/gas 6. Put the baguette slices onto a baking tray, drizzle over half the oil, add some seasoning, then bake for 5 mins until golden at the edges.
• Meanwhile, mix the crab, chilli, coriander, lime zest and juice with the remaining oil and some seasoning, then spoon on top of the toast just before you serve.

VEGAN CHILLI

Steps:

• Heat the oven to 200C/180C fan/gas 6. Put the sweet potato in a roasting tin and drizzle over 1½ tbsp oil, 1 tsp smoked paprika and 1 tsp ground cumin. Give everything a good mix so that all the chunks are coated in spices, season with salt and pepper, then roast for 25 mins until cooked.
• Meanwhile, heat the remaining oil in a large saucepan over a medium heat. Add the onion, carrot and celery. Cook for 8-10 mins, stirring occasionally until soft, then crush in the garlic and cook for 1 min more. Add the remaining dried spices and tomato purée. Give everything a good mix and cook for 1 min more.
• Add the red pepper, chopped tomatoes and 200ml water. Bring the chilli to a boil, then simmer for 20 mins. Tip in the beans and cook for another 10 mins before adding the sweet potato. Season to taste then serve with lime wedges, guacamole, rice and coriander. Will keep, in an airtight container in the freezer, for up to three months.To make in a slow cookerHeat the oil in a large frying pan over a medium heat. Add the onion, carrot and celery. Cook for 8-10 mins, stirring occasionally until soft, then crush in the garlic, tip in the sweet potato chunks and cook for 1 min more. Add all the dried spices, oregano and tomato purée, cook for 1 min, then tip into a slow cooker.Add the red pepper and chopped tomatoes. Give everything a good stir then cook on low for 5 hrs. Stir in the beans and cook for another 30 mins to 1 hr. Season to taste and serve with lime wedges, guacamole, rice and coriander.

SWEET CHILLI CHICKEN

Steps:

• To make the glaze, preheat the grill to high. Mix together the chilli sauce, honey and oil in a large bowl. Using a sharp knife make 3-4 slits across the skin side of each chicken breast. Season with salt and pepper then lift the skin on each breast and tuck under the crushed garlic. Now dip the underside of each chicken breast in the glaze until evenly coated. Reserve the rest of the glaze for later.
• To cook the chicken, put the chicken on the grill pan, glazed side up, and grill for 8 minutes until golden and sticky. Turn the chicken breasts over, brush with the remaining glaze, then cook for another 6-8 minutes until the chicken is firm and cooked through. Serve straight away with wedges of lime for squeezing over, if liked.