Smoky puréed chipotles are an easy way to add earthy spice
Red hot chili peppers
James Carrier
Reduced-fat sour cream and fresh tomato salsa make a cooling garnish for black bean chili.

Recipes

Black Bean Chili

Chicken Soft Tacos

Chipotle chilies are smoked jalapeños that are sold dried or canned in adobo sauce. The canned variety in particular is packed with a lot of flavor but very little fat, so the chilies are perfect for healthy cooking.

Purée a can and keep it in the refrigerator to have on hand for adding smoky, pickled heat to beans, soups, and meat stews; for stirring into mayonnaise to spread on sandwiches; or for adding spice and depth to any fresh or jarred salsa.

A few tablespoons of this complex chili purée go a long way toward seasoning dishes like meatless black bean chili or shredded chicken in red sauce, folded into soft corn tortillas.

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