THREE CHEESE BLACK BEAN CHILI WITH CHEDDAR CRUST

2 large onions, diced
2 tablespoons butter
1/4 cup tomato paste
1 tablespoon chili powder
1 tablespoon cocoa powder
1 teaspoon cumin seed
3 medium carrots, chopped
2 ribs celery, sliced
3 small jalapeno peppers, seeded and minced
1 (28-ounce) can crushed tomatoes
2 cups cooked or canned black beans, rinsed
6 to 12 ounces dark beer or tomato juice
1 cup (4 ounces) shredded Mozzarella cheese
1 cup (4 ounces) shredded Monterey Jack cheese
1 cup (4 ounces) shredded sharp Cheddar cheese

Saute onions in butter over medium high heat in large saucepan until translucent, about three minutes.

Add tomato paste, chili powder, cocoa powder, and cumin, and cook until mixture caramelizes to a dark brown, about ten minutes.

Stir in carrots, celery and jalapeņos and stir to coat. Add crushed tomatoes and beans. Stir in beer to your preferred consistency. Simmer for at least an hour, up to two hours.

Preheat broiler.

Stir Mozzarella and Monterey Jack cheese into chili and top with shredded Cheddar. Broil until cheese is bubbly, about four minutes.

Makes about eight cups. For an extra-large batch, simply double the recipe.

Source: American Dairy Association.