HELP! I put too much unsweetened chocolate in my chili!

[Detroit Slim]

So I overestimated how much unsweetened chocolate to put into my Super Bowl chili.

As a secret ingredient, it's AWESOME, but it's also too much.

What can I do to blunt the bitterness of the chocolate? Help, please! It's simmering away and kickoff is in an hour!

[Detroit Slim]

I split the difference with a little sugar, let that simmer in, then a little wine. I was out of tomatoes, and it was spicy as all get-out, so I wasn't diluting the spice too much.

It worked, especially with some chips and sour cream, but certainly wasn't saved outright. Next time, though, I'll use a fraction of the chocolate and have some kick-ass chili.

Thanks for all thelp help!

[winebarb]

what did you do?? what happened??

[michelley]

Don't forget to add back some chili powder since you're going to dilute it.

[FlavoursGal]

This might sound weird, but some grated peeled apple might do the trick, or even a can of jellied cranberry sauce.

These ingredients would add more depth than would plain sugar or honey.

[lintygmom]

Tomato paste is quite sweet so it might, but you might want to saute it first as it has a very characteristic cheap flavor raw. Cook it down with some wine or some beer?

[Detroit Slim]

I like the idea of adding a beer, but will that really help? Or maybe another 1/2 cup of red wine... there's already a cup of red wine in there, so that might help.

I'm also going to check and see if there's more tomatoes to add in. Would tomato paste help?

[HaagenDazs]

Can you add a can or 2 of crushed tomatoes? Maybe add a beer? I'd add honey versus sugar (as mentioned above) to balance things out if you have it.

[lintygmom]

Take some out and try adding a little sugar or quick caramelize some tomatoes in olive oil (good quality) and add it to a bowl to taste--if it works, add it to the pot. Caramelizing will sweeten the tomatoes and change the taste of the chili without adding sugar. Caramelizing would mean cooking down until the tomatoes are denatured, slightly brown but NOT burnt.

And add more beans if beans be in it.

[winebarb]

only thing i can think of would be sugar to balnce the bitterness. and maybe a little more hot pepper?