Mexican Mole Poblano Inspired Chili

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 1/2 cups chopped onions
• 1 cup chopped green pepper (optional)
• 1 (4 ounce) can chopped green chilies (optional)
• 8 large garlic cloves, chopped
• 3 pounds cubed beef stew meat
• 5 tablespoons chili powder
• 2 tablespoons ground cumin
• 2 teaspoons dried basil
• 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1 bay leaf
• 1 cinnamon stick
• 1 (28 ounce) can crushed tomatoes in puree
• 1 (14.5 ounce) can beef broth
• 1 (12 fluid ounce) bottle dark beer
• 1 (6 ounce) can tomato paste
• 1 (15 ounce) can chili beans
• 2 (1 ounce) squares bittersweet chocolate, chopped
• salt and pepper, to taste

1. Heat oil in a large, heavy pot over medium-high heat. Stir in onions, green peppers, green chilies, and garlic. Cook and stir until onions are soft and translucent, about 8 minutes. Add the stew meat to the pot, cook until well browned, about 5 minutes.
2. Stir the chili power, cumin, basil, cayenne pepper, crushed red pepper, oregano, thyme, bay leaf, and cinnamon stick into the pot. Cook and stir until spices are aromatic, about 2 minutes.
3. Pour the crushed tomatoes, beef broth, and beer into the pot; stir in the tomato paste. Bring chili to a simmer and cook until beef is very tender and the liquids have thickened, about 1 hour and 15 minutes.
4. Mix the chili beans and chocolate into the chili. Simmer until the chocolate has melted and the chili is hot, 5 minutes. Remove cinnamon stick and bay leaf. Season to taste with salt and pepper.

olive oil, onions, green pepper, green chilies, garlic, meat, chili powder, ground cumin, basil, cayenne pepper, red pepper, oregano, thyme, bay leaf, cinnamon, tomatoes, beef broth, tomato paste, chili beans, chocolate, salt

Taken from www.allrecipes.com/recipe/213747/mexican-mole-poblano-inspired-chili/ (may not work)