When the chill of winter sets in, there’s nothing quite as comforting as a big pot of chili to warm you from the inside out. But what if you’re looking to satisfy a crowd with diverse dietary needs? Enter Honey & Co’s ingenious chilli no carne recipe, a meatless marvel that will have everyone at the table diving in for seconds, whether they’re vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free, or a die-hard carnivore.
The Secret to Satisfying Meatless Chili
Sarit Packer and Itamar Srulovich, the talented duo behind London’s beloved Honey & Co restaurant, have cracked the code on creating a chilli no carne that’s just as hearty, flavorful, and satisfying as its meaty counterpart. The key? A robust sofrito base, plenty of aromatics, and a clever combination of spices and peppers that builds complex layers of flavor.
Building a Flavorful Foundation
The chilli no carne starts with a sofrito, a slow-cooked mixture of:
- Onion
- Celery
- Carrots
- Garlic
- Red peppers
This fragrant base is sautéed until the vegetables are meltingly tender and beginning to caramelize, creating a deeply savory backdrop for the rest of the ingredients.
A Medley of Spices and Heat
To give the chilli no carne its signature warmth and depth, Honey & Co relies on a blend of earthy spices and fiery peppers:
- Cumin lends a nutty, slightly sweet note
- Paprika provides a subtle smokiness
- Oregano adds a hint of herbaceous freshness
- Chipotle peppers in adobo bring a complex heat and tang
These bold flavors meld and mingle as the chili simmers, creating a rich, full-bodied broth that belies its meatless nature.
The Protein-Packed Star: Black Beans
While many vegetarian chilis rely on a hodgepodge of beans, Honey & Co streamlines their recipe by focusing on a single variety: creamy, nutritious black beans. Simmered until tender in the spice-laden broth, these beans provide a satisfying texture and plenty of protein to keep you feeling full and fueled.
A Rainbow of Toppings
No bowl of chili is complete without a colorful array of toppings, and Honey & Co’s chilli no carne is no exception. Their version is crowned with a vibrant avocado salsa, a tangy tumble of:
- Ripe avocado
- Lemon and lime zest and juice
- Shallot
- Chili
- Tomato
- Coriander
Other suggested accompaniments include:
- Steamed rice or warm tortillas for scooping
- Coriander leaves and lime wedges for brightness
- Hot sauce for an extra kick
- Soured cream or yogurt to tame the heat
With so many options for customization, everyone can craft their perfect bite.
A One-Pot Wonder for Any Occasion
Whether you’re hosting a cozy dinner party, feeding a crowd on game day, or simply craving a comforting meal to ward off the winter chill, Honey & Co’s chilli no carne fits the bill. This one-pot dish can be made well in advance, allowing the flavors to meld and deepen, and reheats beautifully for easy serving.
This is what a winter party is all about: a big pot you can place at the table with a stack of bowls and a ladle; something that’s not expensive, that’s easy to prepare, and that can be made well in advance.
– Sarit Packer and Itamar Srulovich
So gather your friends, set out a big pot of chilli no carne and all the fixings, and let everyone dig in to a meal that’s as festive as it is flavorful. With Honey & Co’s recipe, you can rest assured that every guest will leave the table satisfied, no matter their dietary preferences.
Get the Recipe
Ready to try Honey & Co’s game-changing chilli no carne for yourself? You can find the full recipe above, complete with all the instructions you need to recreate this meatless masterpiece at home. And if you’re hungry for more of Sarit and Itamar’s inventive, flavor-packed dishes, be sure to check out their cookbooks or visit their London restaurant for a meal to remember.
