I adore comfort food, and I love when eating something makes you feel better. Sometimes you notice the physical effects straight away; your belly feels full, you get energy again and you stop feeling dizzy. But it almost always, at least if it is well cooked food, makes you happier. If I am down it helps to eat. Not for the sake of eating, but everything feels a bit better after you have eaten something warming and your belly is full.
With the autumn, or nearly winter, hitting London, I feel I need something comforting for supper almost everyday. That warm embrace of hearty food is difficult to beat and for me a few things hits the bull’s eye. Creamy dishes and casseroles or soup. This is from the latter category and really does the trick. With a bit of a kick to it as well as the melted cheese on top and the bread to soak up the juices in the bowl this qualifies as one of the best autumnal comfort dishes out there, don’t you think?!
My everyday chilli, serves 6
1 kg beef mince
2 cans á 400 g chopped tomatoes (of good quality), one with chilli if available
100 ml water
1/2 onion, chopped
2 garlic cloves
3 tsp cumin
3-4 tsp chipotle paste
1/2 tsp chilli flakes
6-7 drops tabasco
2 tbsp mild chilli sauce
1 tbsp tomato purée
a pinch of brown sugar
2 tbsp balsamic vinegar
1 tsp worcestershire sauce
400 g kidney beans, canned – rinsed and drained
Fry the meat in a large pan. Add salt and pepper. Remove the meat and pour out the meat juices. Fry the onions and garlic until soft but not browned in olive oil. Add the meat, chopped tomatoes and water. Bring to the boil. Add everything but the beans. Season and add more spices if needed. Let it boil until the sauce has thickened. Add the beans and cook for another few minutes to warm up the beans.
Serve with grated cheese, sourcream and bread. And perhaps some salad.
One day last week when we needed a quick supper I tried this marinaded beans recipe I found on the wonderful blog Smaskens.
Scandelights 
