Mary Berry's 'unusual' ingredient for chilli con carne that 'adds to the flavour'

Daily Mirror

2 days ago

Mary Berry revealed she adds a surprising condiment to her chilli con carne recipe, as it works wonderfully with beef
Whether you fancy your chilli packed with heat, topped with a generous helping of guacamole, or perhaps you swap the meat for beans, everyone has their own trusted approach. Yet one surprising ingredient in Mary Berry's recipe has left culinary experts amazed by the incredible flavour it brings to the dish, reports the Express.
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Sugar is commonly added to counteract the sharpness of tomatoes, but in this recipe, Mary Berry opts for a different sweet component typically saved for curries and Indian cooking. Home chefs revealed the unexpected addition mellows the sharp taste in tomatoes, helps counterbalance the heat, and creates a rich depth of flavour.
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The former Great British Bake Off presenter's recipe incorporates beans and red pepper to create a vegetarian version; though the trick works equally brilliantly with beef.
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She also incorporates it into her hearty Irish stew. In a clip for Food Network, she explained: "You may think mango chutney is an unusual ingredient for a stew, but I find that it just adds to the flavour."
One home cook who attempted to recreate the chilli recipe overlooked the chutney initially but then discovered what a significant impact it created.
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They posted on the Mary Berry Recipe fan website: "I even skipped the mango chutney because I figured, how much difference could it make? Spoiler: a lot.
"Once I stuck to the recipe properly-gave it time in the oven, let the spices mingle, and kept that chutney in-I finally got it. Deep, rounded flavour, tender beef, and a warmth that lingers."
Speaking about the flavour profile, they added: "Sounds odd, works wonders. It softens the tomatoes' acidity and adds just enough sweetness to round out the spice."
Another chef Anabelle Mclean said the chutney "is a delightful twist on the classic chili".
Writing on Belles Best Bites, she said: "It adds the tangy sweetness of mango chutney, enhancing the robust flavours of the chili and creating a harmonious balance between spicy and sweet."