Bush's Chili Recipes & Black Bean Brownies

Hi everyone, back in February I mentioned that I had the opportunity to visit Napa Valley on a invite from Bush's Beans. Our mission was to cook up some awesome chili recipes at the beautiful Culinary Institute of America. We spent an entire day in the CIA kitchen cooking and tasting chili recipes created for Bush's by Connie Guttersen, R.D., PhD.  

All of the chili recipes that we prepared were very different from the traditional Texas Chili that I am used to. You see real Texas Chili does not contain any beans. Out here in Texas they say "if you no beans about chili, then you no chili ain't got no beans" Well I consider myself a Texan just like the rest of them, but I have always added beans to my chili.

I guess I'm a little bit different when it comes to certain things. To me it's really your own preference, so if you like beans in your chili then by all means add them. After cooking up and tasting all of the different chili recipes at the CIA, all I can say is I never knew CHILI COULD TASTE SO GOOD!!! and all the chili recipes contained beans. 

The chili recipes I am talking about are pictured above. Spicy Black Bean & Corn Chowder, White Bean Chili Verde W/Sonoma Pesto and Chicken & Kidney Bean Spanish Stew. You can click here to view and print all three of these amazing chili recipes and give them a try for yourself. You wont be disappointed in any of them. 

While we were in Napa I learned so much about the healthy benefits of beans. You see I always knew beans were good for you, but I never knew how versatile they were. I learned that you could incorporate beans in so many different recipes. 

You can add them to stews, soups, chili, pasta, hummus, dressing, dips and desserts. Yes even desserts!!!! You see my kids wont eat beans unless I disguise them. That goes the same for a few certain veggies as well. 

Did you know that you could add beans to brownies, bars and cookies and the kiddos wont even know they are eating them. I am so loving this part. I couldn't wait to be sneaky and start incorporating beans into the kids diets.

I tried out my first sneaky recipe by adding Bush's Black Beans to a homemade brownie recipe. I couldn't wait to get feedback from my kids. I just sat and watched when I told my son Mommy made homemade brownies!!!! Carsons face just light up, that boy loves a good brownie. 

I sat and watched as Carson took a bite then another. Does he like them? can he tell? what do you think Carson? Mom those are the best brownies. SCORE!!!!!!!! There are a few folks that don't believe me when I say you cannot taste the beans, but its true you cant. I ate some of the brownies and they really are good.

I snapped a photo of Mr. Picky Pants eating the Black Bean Brownies. But to Carson they are just good old fudge brownies. 

Umm all that chocolaty goodness and you cant even detect the beans. You will find the recipe for these brownies at the end of this post. I hope you like them as much as my little guy does. My next project is to make cookies with the addition of white beans.

Check out all of the fantastic bean recipes visit beansthevegetablewithmore.

Black Bean Brownies

2 - ounces unsweetened baking chocolate
1 - 15 oz can bush's black beans, drained & rinsed & pureed
3/4 cup all purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/3 - cup vegetable shortening
2 - large eggs
1 - 1 1/4 cups sugar (your preference)
1/4 - cup water
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 - teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 - cup semi sweet chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease the bottom of a 9 x 13 inch baking pan. If you want thicker brownies you can use a 8 x 8 x 2 inch pan. Melt the chocolate and shortening together over simmering water or in the microwave. 

I used a pot of water and added a glass bowl on top to make a double boiler. Cool chocolate slightly. In a mixing bowl beat the eggs well then add the sugar, vanilla and pureed black beans. 

I pureed my black beans with my blade attachment to my hand mixer adding the 1/4 cup water. You can puree them in a food processor or a blender as well. If using a blender you may need a bit more water. 

When the chocolate is cool add to the egg and bean mixture blending well. Sift together the flour, salt and baking powder. Add the flour mixture into the chocolate. Make sure everything is mixed together thoroughly. 

Spread the batter evenly into a prepared pan and sprinkle chocolate chips on top. Bake for 25 - 30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean. Cool and cut into squares.

Brownie recipe inspired by: Georgia Cooking in a Oklahoma Kitchen.