Cuckoo for Cocoa...

Chili ??! Yes, you read right - chili, not 'puffs'! And no, mommy brain hasn't completely taken over (well, not yet)!!

Chocolate and spicy ingredients are not an uncommon pairing. Check out this hot chocolate with chiles from Dagoba (not sure if this is vegan but their chocolate bar with chiles definitely is), and do you remember my LaraBar post? Well, I think my favorite variety is their Cocoa Mole flavor!

As I've said before, I'm all about soups these days, and this cocoa-chili recipe will be in my new cookbook. It includes anti-oxidant rich cocoa powder, as well as another one or two 'surprise' ingredients!!

It is such a deep, intense chili and I've paired it here with a salad of romaine lettuce, sliced jicama, cilantro, and Ataulfo mango (which I think are far tastier and less stringy than the more common variety often found in markets). I used Annie's Papaya Poppyseed Dressing on the salad... as you know it is a new favorite of mine!