Campfire Sweet Potato and Black Bean Chilli

A smoky, cacao-kissed chilli made with sweet potato, black beans, and a short list of store cupboard favourites. Slow-cooked in spirit, even if quick in method, it delivers satisfying heat and earthy comfort. Ideal for a solo supper, a campfire meal, or your cosiest indoor night.

trangia stove with a black skillet pan of vegan sweet potato and black bean chilli, topped with homemade paratha. shows a person's hand stirring.

Print Recipe

Prep Time 5

Cook Time 25

Total Time 30

Course Dinner, Lunch, Main

Cuisine Inspired by Mexican Flavours

Servings people

Calories 231

Ingredients

1 tsp olive oil
150 g brown onion | unpeeled weight; peeled and diced small
1 pinch salt
1 clove fresh garlic | Peeled and sliced or grated
1 tsp ground cumin
1 tsp smoked paprika
1 tbsp tomato purée
1 tsp apple cider vinegar
1 tsp cacoa
½ tsp chilli flakes | less or more, to taste
200 g sweet potato | peeled and diced small; squash works well
200 g chopped tomatoes | tinned
200 g black beans

Instructions

Heat the oil in a pan on medium low, and proceed to cook the brown onion with a pinch of salt.
When the onion begins to soften, add the garlic and continue to cook on low. Get the mix nice and soft and caramelised, to really maximise the flavour.
1 tsp olive oil, 150 g brown onion, 1 clove fresh garlic, 1 pinch salt
Add the cumin powder and cook through until it's aromatic. Add a little water if you need to, to keep it glossy and moist.
1 tsp ground cumin
Add the smoked paprika and cook through until it's aromatic. Add a little more water. I've found that adding a little water really does help get the most from dried spices.
1 tsp smoked paprika
Add the tomato purée and cook for a minute or so until it's darker. Be patient, really do allow this key ingredient to darken. This is a key step.
1 tbsp tomato purée
Add the apple cider vinegar and let the sharpness of it hit your nostrils and evaporate.
1 tsp apple cider vinegar
Add the cacoa and chilli flakes and stir in, then add the tomatoes, sweet potato or squash and the black beans.
You can just let all that do it's thing on a low heat now. Low and slow with anything like this. Keep an eye on it. Add more tomatoes if it looks like it's drying out. Or add a lid...
1 tsp cacoa, ½ tsp chilli flakes, 200 g sweet potato, 200 g chopped tomatoes, 200 g black beans

Nutrition

Calories: 231kcalCarbohydrates: 44gProtein: 10gFat: 3gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 2gSodium: 246mgPotassium: 875mgFiber: 11gSugar: 8gVitamin A: 11520IUVitamin C: 14mgCalcium: 96mgIron: 4mg

Nutritional values are estimates only and will vary depending on specific ingredients used. Nutrition is per serving. Information is for the main recipe, not optional accompaniments.