One of my favorite chili recipes is this cornbread topped chili from Nigella Lawson. However, when I make it, I often make it with cornbread from a box mix. I don’t think Nigella would shoot me, necessarily, but when I decided that this chili was prime for a recipe redo, well, I figured I better go all in and make the cornbread from scratch. I also halved the chili recipe as I only had a 3 1/2 qt. Le Creuset Dutch Oven – not 6 ¾ Dutch Oven as they tend to use on her show. (Perhaps I should put that on the b’day list, huh? It’s clearly needed for my kitchen – you know – cost per use and all 
). Also, as the reviews for the cornbread topping were not so pleasant, I went with playing with this buttermilk cornbread recipe from AllRecipes and, I have to say, this recipe is sheer chili perfection. You can always play with the spices and make it as spicy as you like and, I love to think that chili is like a painting – no two are exactly alike.
There is something that is perfect about one pot meals – right down to baking the cornbread on top of the chili. I did tend to go overboard a bit on the cheese factor but, then again, who would be upset – certainly not me. Also, I used Ground Beef from Trader Joe’s and I was happy to hear that their ground beef is pink slime and additive free. No funky stuff for this gal, especially in chili! Plus, after the Genaurdi’s Chili Incident a couple years ago, I made a promise to myself to try to make chili from scratch and it’s really simple. Some tomatoes, some spices, some meat and/or beans, simmer for a spell and you are done. If there are leftovers, it freezes beautifully and there is nothing better than curling up on the couch with a nice bowl of chili while watching the fall tv premieres.
Speaking of fall tv – what are you looking forward to seeing premiere this week – NCIS – Big Bang Theory- Revenge – Once Upon A Time – Scandal? Tell us in the comments!
On to the Recipe:
Gather the Ingredients
Time to bloom the spices
I adore Fire Roasted Tomatoes – such a great flavor for this dish
Don’t Forget the Cocoa! Trust me – chocolate works great in chili – remember the Short Rib Chili ?
Time to marry the Cornbread and the Chili (and the cheese!)
Look at it in all its cheese puffed gloriousness (Sorry – had a Nigella moment)
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 onions, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1/2 teaspoon dried chili flakes
- 1 teaspoon ground coriander
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 red pepper, seeded and diced
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 28 oz. can of fire roasted chopped tomatoes
- 1/4 cup of ketchup
- 1/4 cup of tomato paste
- 1 1/2 cups beef stock
- 1 tablespoons cocoa
- 2 cans of red kidney beans, drained and rinsed well
- 1 cup cornmeal
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 2 eggs
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 1/2 cup butter, melted and slightly cooled
- 1/3 - 1/2 cup of honey (depending on how sweet you like it.)
- 2 cups grated Cheddar Cheese
Directions
- Brown the ground beef over medium heat in a large Dutch oven. Drain off the fat and set aside.
- Heat the oil and sauté the onion and garlic until soft.
- To the onion mixture, add the chili, coriander, cumin, and paprika and stir, allowing the heat to develop the spices a bit.
- Add the red pepper to the pot and sauté until slightly soft.
- Return the ground beef to the pan, add the chopped tomatoes, ketchup, tomato paste, and beef stock and stir.
- When the mixture comes to a slight boil, add the cocoa and stir until everything is incorporated.
- Add the drained kidney beans and simmer partially covered for 1 1/2 hours.
- Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F.
- In a large bowl, combine the cornmeal, flour, salt, baking powder and baking soda.
- Whisk together the eggs, buttermilk, melted butter and honey. When everything is combined, stir into the dry ingredients to make a slightly lumpy batter.
- Pour the cornmeal topping over the chili, spreading the cornbread topping over the top as evenly as possible.
- Sprinkle the cheese over the top of the cornbread.
- Bake in the oven for 30 - 40 minutes or until the cornbread topping is risen and golden and the chili is bubbling.
- Let the chili stand for about 5 minutes once out of the oven before cutting the cornbread top to serve with a helping of the bubbling chili underneath.
- Garnish with your fave toppings (i.e. more cheddar, sour cream or whatever your heart desires).
- Enjoy!
Notes
Chili recipe adapted from Nigella Lawson Cornbread topping recipe adapted from AllRecipes
[Note: The Recipe Redo Series is when I take one of my earlier posts here at Cooking In Stilettos, redo the recipe with new pictures and add any tips I've learned along the way. This Tried & True originally appeared back in January of 2010: One Pot Meal: Nigella Lawson’s Cornbread Topped Chili Con Carne. Warning - horrid photo ahead so you might want to avert your eyes. ]
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Twitter: NevrEnoughThyme
says:
I’ve seen the Nigella episode where she makes this chili at least a half dozen times and always thought it looked really good. I almost always make cornbread when I make chili, but I’ve never tried the cornbread as a topper. However, I’m about to give it a shot! Thanks for the inspiration.
Lana recently posted..Baked Apples with Cranberries and Pecans
There’s something about that episode that always makes me want to go to the kitchen! I think I’m going to start calling that the “Nigella Effect” Let me know how it goes Lana
Twitter: justataste
says:
How can I get a bowl of lunch for this right now? YUM!
Kelly Senyei (Just a Taste) recently posted..Espresso Chocolate Chip Brownie Cookies
I know – right? I’m seriously wishing I defrosted some in the freezer for Criminal Minds tonight. I’ll trade you – you send me some of those Espresso Chocolate Chip Brownie Cookies and I’ll send you some chili
Twitter: erink_13
says:
OMG!!!! This looks sooooo amazing! What an awesome adaptation – love the addition of cocoa powder too.
Erin recently posted..Mixed Greens with Wild Blueberry Dressing, Herbed Goat Cheese & Spiced Pecans
Twitter: HungryCoupleNYC
says:
Yum. Chili and cornbread is always a hit around here. And I also love one pot meals!
Anita at Hungry Couple recently posted..Pumpkin Pie Smoothie
Twitter: Fmyvon
says:
This sounds fabulous and I will have to give it a try…. I always put a little chocolate in my chili… Thanks for sharing on Foodie Friends Friday and remember to come back and vote on Sunday.
Marlys recently posted..Foodie Friends Friday ~ October 11/12