Perfect midweek dinner recipe, hearty one pot chili con carne with polenta cobbler crust. 

Feels like real winter here. I know we’ve been lucky to have a very mild one till now, but secretly I was hoping for more warm days. Part of me is still on a Miami beach, basting in the sun. But, reality kicks in when I am stepping outside.

This weather is just perfect for rich, strongly flavored dishes! Comfort food to its best.

Just have a look to this hearty one pot chili con carne with polenta cobbler crust!

I had this recipe on my “have to try this” list for ages. I had chili con carne many times before but usually served with rice or tortilla. You know, the traditional Mexican way. Polenta cobbler crust takes this recipe to a totally new level of deliciousness 🙂 If you love polenta, this recipe is not be be missed or postponed. You will absolutely love it!

I love recipes that start on the top stove and get finished in the oven 🙂 If you are choosing to cook chicken, meatballs or beef, this cooking process enhances more the flavors.

This recipe for chili con carne is a delicious blend of beef mince, tomatoes, beans, chili, paprika, cumin and dried oregano. The depth and the flavor of all these ingredients define this one pot chili con carne with polenta cobbler crust recipe as insanely good 🙂

For polenta cobbler crust, I have used instant polenta, as it cooks in just minutes compared to regular corn grits.

It doesn’t take too long (less than 1 hour and 30 minutes cooking and baking time) to get it ready and have it on your midweek dinner table. If you have more time up your sleeve, the better it will get. Cooking it on the top stove for up to two hours will enhance more the flavors. Also, chili con carne always tastes better reheated the following day…just saying’

Bon Apetit!

Yield: 4 servings

One pot chili con carne with polenta cobbler crust

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One Pot Chili con Carne, a delicious blend of beef mince, tomatoes, beans, chili and seasonings, topped with with polenta cobbler crust

Prep Time 10 minutes

Cook Time 1 hour 15 minutes

Total Time 1 hour 25 minutes

Ingredients

Chili con Carne Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 medium onion, finely chopped
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 2 Jalapeño chili, seeds removed and diced
• 1 lb./ 500g beef mince
• 1 tablespoon sundried tomato paste
• 1 tin chopped tomatoes
• 500 ml beef stock, warm
• 1 tin pinto beans, drained and rinsed
• fresh coriander, roughly chopped

Polenta cobbler crust Ingredients

• 100g instant polenta
• 200g all purpose flour
• 1 tablespoon baking powder
• 100g grated Parmesan
• 1 medium egg
• 200 ml milk

Instructions

1. Heat olive oil in a skillet, add chopped onion and garlic and saute over a low-medium heat, stirring, for 5 minutes, until the onion has softened. Add dried spices and fresh diced chili. Cook, stirring, for a couple more minutes. Add the beef mince, season with salt and pepper, turn up the heat, then saute for 5 minutes to brown, breaking it up with a wooden spoon.
2. Stir in the sundried tomato paste, then pour over the chopped tomatoes and beef stock. Bring to a simmer, lower the heat, cover and simmer for 45 minutes, stirring occasionally. Remove the lid and stir through the pinto beans and fresh coriander. Season to taste.
3. Preheat the oven to 400F/ 200C.
4. Make polenta cobbler topping by mixing the polenta, flour, baking powder, salt and cheese in a bowl. Add the egg with the milk, then stir through the dry ingredients until combined. Dollop spoonfuls onto the chili, around the edge of the skillet/ dutch oven/ casserole.
5. Bake for 15 minutes just until the cobbler becomes golden. Remove from the oven and serve warm.

Notes

This recipe was slightly adapted from Delicious UK magazine, November 2011 issue

Nutrition Information

Yield

4

Serving Size

1
Amount Per Serving Unsaturated Fat 0g