Chocolate Recipe I

I'll be posting recipes every Tuesday, using chocolate as one of the ingredients. Recipes with chocolate do not necessarily have to be sweets, candy or desserts. As you can see in today's recipe, they can be part of the main course.

Chili Cheese Casserole for a Crowd.

I made it first for one of our Anniversary parties a few years ago and it was so much enjoyed that many people have asked me for this recipe ever since. To honor my Pharmaceutical training and background , I take the liberty to write my recipes out in the pharmaceutical way. R = take; fsa = make according to the art

The ingredients in this flavorful dish are reminiscent of mole, the Mexican sauce made from onion, garlic, chiles and chocolate. The chipotle chiles add a smoky flavor, though they can be omitted.

R/

2 teaspoons olive oil

2 cups chopped onion

1 cup chopped green bell pepper

1 cup chopped red bell pepper

1 ½ tablespoons chili powder

1 tablespoon dried oregano

1 tablespoon MANON'S unsweetened cocoa

1 teaspoon ground cumin

6 garlic cloves, minced

2 cups water

1 ½ cups uncooked bulgur, cracked wheat (or for those on a gluten-free diet: brown rice)

2 tablespoons minced fresh cilantro

1 (16 ounce) can pinto beans, drained

1 (16 ounce) can black beans, drained

1 (14.5 ounce) can no-salt added diced tomatoes, undrained

1 (14.5 ounce) can vegetable broth, undiluted.

2 drained canned chipotle chiles in adobo sauce, minced (I usually omit these)

Cooking spray

2 cups (8 ounces) shredded reduced fat Mexican cheese blend, divided.

3 ½ ounces bite-size baked tortilla chips (about 66 chips)

fsa/

1. Preheat oven to 375°.

2. Heat oil in a Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add onions and next 7 ingredients; sauté 5 minutes. Add water and next 7 ingredients; bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.

3. Spoon half of bean mixture into a 13 x 9 inch baking dish coated with cooking spray; sprinkle with 1 cup of cheese. Top with remaining bean mixture. Cover and bake at 375° for 40 minutes. Uncover; sprinkle with remaining 1 cup cheese. Bake an additional 10 minutes or until cheese melts. Serve with chips. Yield: 11 servings (serving size: 1 cup casserole and 6 chips)

POINTS: 5

DIABETIC EXCHANGES: 2½ starch, 1 Veg, 1 MF Meat.

PER SERVING: CAL 271 (19% from fat); PRO 15g; FAT5.7g (sat 2.6g); CARB 44.2g; FIB 8.2g; CHOL 7mg; IRON 2.9m; SOD 580mg; CALC 220mg

©Down to Earth, Weight Watchers Magazine, 2000.