"Chocolate" Chili

Ok, this doesn't taste like chocolate. But the cocoa powder gives it a beautiful color and a very good depth of flavor!

3/4 pound ground beef
1/4 pound chorizo, cooked* (optional)
1 large onion, chopped
1 tablespoon minced garlic
1 can chili beans, mostly drained
1 can black beans, drained
1 cup chopped tomatoes
1 cup frozen corn
1 jalapeno, most ribs and seeds removed, chopped (you can leave this out for mild chili)
1 small can diced green chilis
1 cup water
2 tablespoons chili powder
2 tablespoons cumin
3 tablespoons cocoa powder
2 teaspoons cinnamon
2 teaspoons salt
1 teaspoon black pepper

In a large skillet, brown the ground beef, onions and garlic. Drain, and put into 3-quart or larger saucepan. Add remaining ingredients; stir to combine. Cook on medium-low heat for 20 minutes - taste and adjust seasonings. Repeat until the chili has simmered for an hour.

*Note: Chorizo is a flavorful Mexican sausage. I have found it at Thriftway in a "fresh pack" made with regular ground pork. I have also found it frozen, in tubes, in most stores. The regular pork kind is better - it cooks to a better consistency and isn't so watery. If you buy the frozen in tubes kind, do yourself a favor and don't read the ingredient label. I precook the whole package and then separate it into smaller packages in the freezer because I'd never use the whole amount in one dish!