Mexican Style Chorizo & Bean Chilli

An appetising Mexican-inspired chilli recipe featuring spicy chorizo and beans, topped with feta and spring onions, and served with rice. This dish is perfect for meal prepping, allowing you to enjoy dinner and then have leftovers for lunch the following day. For a vegetarian version with lower fat content, simply omit the chorizo. This recipe yields 4 servings.

Ingredients:

• 2 red onions

• 2 bell peppers

• 2 garlic cloves / lazy garlic / frozen diced garlic

• 180g chorizo

• 2 tins chopped tomatoes

• 2 tins mixed beans

• 2 spring onions

• 50g feta cheese

• 1 vegetable stock pot

• 2 tbsp tomato puree

• 2 tsp smoked paprika

• 2 tsp chipotle chili paste (skip if you don't want it too spicy)

• 120g of rice (I would recommend brown rice for the healthier option) - or if you want the easier option, then you need 1-2 microwave packet rice (1 whole packet is sometimes too much for me, but may be the right portion size for you).

Method:

1. If you are cooking your rice, then the first step is to get the rice cooking - follow packet instructions.

2. Food preparations: dice red onions, cut chorizo into small pieces, chop the peppers, slice the spring onions, and crumble the feta into smaller pieces. Drain and rinse the mixed beans in a sieve.

3. Heat some olive oil in a large pan. Once hot, add the onion, peppers, and chorizo and cook for around 4-5 minutes on medium heat.

4. Once the peppers and onion have softened, add the smoked paprika, tomato puree, and chipotle chili paste and cook for a further 1-2 minutes. Remember, add less or no chili if you don't like spice.

5. Add the vegetable stock pot and stir well.

6. Add the chopped tomatoes and mixed beans then stir. Lower the heat and simmer the mixture for 8-10 minutes to allow it to thicken. You will need to stir occasionally. If you are using microwave rice, then this would be a good time to start preparing and heating up the rice as per packet instructions.

7. Serve up with some rice and chili, and scatter over some spring onions and feta cheese.

If you're looking for a rice cooker, I've been using the Lakeland 2 portion rice cooker and it is the perfect size to cook 2 portions, costs just over £30.