Black Bean and Espresso Chili with Three Cheese Cornmeal Mush (soft polenta)

1/4 cup olive oil
2-3 large onions, chopped
1/8 cup instant espresso powder
1/8 cup chili powder
1/8 cup ground cumin
1/8 cup dried oregano leaves
1-28-ounce cans crushed tomatoes
3 Tab. honey
3 large garlic cloves, minced
1 pound of black beans, cooked
2 cups water
1 tablespoon salt
1/4 teaspoon liquid smoke
Large pinch of ground cinnamon

Optional Toppings:
sour cream
chopped fresh cilantro
chopped green onions
shredded cheese
sliced jalapenos
shaved bittersweet chocolate

Heat oil in heavy large pot over medium-high heat. Add onions and sauté until tender, about 8 minutes. Mix in espresso powder, 1/4 cup chili powder, cumin, and oregano. Cook 1 minute. Mix in tomatoes, honey, and garlic. Bring to simmer. Reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and simmer 30 minutes. Add beans, 2 cups water, salt, liquid smoke, and cinnamon. Bring to boil over high heat. Reduce heat to medium and simmer uncovered until mixture thickens slightly, stirring often, about 30 minutes. Season with salt.
(Can be prepared 1 day ahead. Cool slightly. Refrigerate uncovered until cold, then cover and refrigerate. Rewarm before serving.)
Place toppings in individual condiment bowls. Ladle chili into bowl and serve toppings alongside.

Source: modified slightly from the recipe at Epicurious

Serve with:

Three Cheese Cornmeal Mush (soft polenta)

1 cup cornmeal
1 tea. garlic salt
3 Tab butter or margarine
1 cup sharp cheddar
1/4 cup Parmesan cheese
8 ounces mascarpone cheese

Put 3 cups water in a pot and heat to boiling. Meanwhile, mix cornmeal with 1 cup cold water in a bowl with a whisk. This is to prevent the cornmeal from clumping. Once the water boils, add the cornmeal-water mixture to the boiling water. Add garlic salt and butter or margarine. Bring back to a boil, reduce heat and simmer, stirring frequently with a whisk, for 8-10 minutes. Stir in cheddar, Parmesan and mascarpone cheeses and stir until melted.
Serve with chili by putting a portion of the mush in the bowl and then top with the chili. Add toppings and then serve.

Coffee Rubbed Beef with Red Eye Beans

Coffee Rubbed Beef
(30 minutes to make.)

4 tea. Chile powder (Ancho is best)
4 tea. Instant Espresso coffee powder
2 tea. Paprika
2 tea. Dry Mustard
2 tea. packed Brown Sugar
2 tea. Oregano
1 tea Black Pepper
1/2 tea. Cumin
1/2 tea. Salt
2 lbs. Beef shoulder petite tenders

In a small bowl, mix together all the seasonings. Lightly coat meat with cooking spray and coat meat with spice mixture. Grill meat to desired doneness.

Red Eye Beans
1/2 cup finely chopped red onion
2 cloves garlic,  minced
1 Tab. Canola or Olive oil
2 (15-oz.) cans Pinto Beans, drained and rinsed
1 cup water
2 Tab. Molasses
4 tea. Worcestershire sauce
2 tea. Chile powder (Ancho, preferred)
2 tea. Instant Espresso Coffee powder
1 tea. Cumin
1/2 tea. Black Pepper
1/4 tea. Salt

In a small saucepan cook the onion and garlic in the oil for 4-6 minutes or until tender.  Stir in the rest of the ingredients and bring to a boil. Simmer, covered, for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Serve with Tomato and Cucumber Salad with Garlic Buttermilk Dressing.

Makes 8 servings
Per Serving (1 steak, 1/3 cup beans): 303 calories,  10 g. Fat, 24 g. Carb., 6 g. Fiber,  29g. Protein

Source: Diabetes Meals by the Plate,  Better Homes and Gardens

Coffee

Perfect Portion : 1 -2 cups

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