PASTA CON CARNE RECIPES

1. Cover the dried chillies with boiling water and leave to rehydrate.
2. Peel and finely chop the onions and garlic, pick the coriander leaves, then finely chop the stalks. Deseed and finely slice the fresh chillies.
3. Drizzle 1 tablespoon of oil into a large pan over a medium heat, add the onions, garlic, coriander stalks and most of the fresh chilli, then cook for 10 minutes, or until the onion is soft but not coloured.
4. Peel and finely chop the carrots, add to the pan with the paprika, cinnamon and half the cumin seeds, and fry for a further 5 minutes.
5. Reserving the soaking water, drain the rehydrated chillies, then finely chop and stir into the pan. Add the mince, breaking it up with a wooden spoon, then cook for 5 minutes, or until all the liquid has evaporated and the meat has browned.
6. Add the reserved soaking water followed by the tomatoes, breaking them up with a wooden spoon. Season with sea salt and black pepper, then bring to the boil. Reduce to a simmer and leave to tick away for 1 to 2 hours, or until thickened.
7. Meanwhile, char the peppers by carefully holding them with tongs over a flame or placing under the grill, turning regularly until blackened all over. Place in a bowl, cover and leave to steam for 5 to 10 minutes.
8. Discard the blackened skin and seeds from the charred peppers, then slice into strips and add to the chilli.
9. With 5 minutes to go, toast the cumin seeds in a large non-stick frying pan over a medium heat for 2 minutes. Add a good drizzle of oil, drain and add the beans, then fry until crisp and starting to pop, tossing regularly. Season to taste, then tip into a serving bowl.
10. Season the chilli to taste, remove the cinnamon stick, then scatter over the reserved fresh chilli, coriander leaves and popped beans. Delicious served with a dollop of yoghurt or soured cream.

Heat the oil in a large saucepan and add the onion. Cook for 2-3 minutes until beginning to soften, then add the peppers. Cook for another 3-4 minutes until the peppers are just tender.

Add the chilli powder, cumin and paprika to the pan and stir through, cooking for 1 minute. Put the mince in the pan and move around, breaking up with a wooden spoon. Cook for 3-4 minutes until brown all over. Pour in the passata and stock. Bring to a gentle simmer and cook for 30 minutes.

Roughly chop the chocolate and add to the chilli, along with the beans. Stir to combine and melt the chocolate, then simmer for another 15 minutes until the mixture has thickened slightly. 

Meanwhile, prepare the rice according to the instructions on the packet. Serve with the chilli and a dollop of crème fraîche on the top.