The usual suspects.

Left over onion all nicely chopped up ready to make me cry.

Golden rule #1: cold oil goes into hot pan. I’ve used olive oil because it was just standing there looking at me.

Onions into hot pan then turn down the heat and cook for a few minutes until soft and semi see through.

I’ve chopped up the red capsicum and managed to keep my fingers intact.

Capsicums are in the pan with their buddies, the onions, and are getting on famously.

I’ve got a lovely bunch of coriander(cilantro). Don’t waste the roots. We is gonna cut them off and give them a fine choppity doo dah.

Just like that! Now throw in the pan and stick your nose in there and smell the coriander goodness as it wafts up from the pan. Fuckin’ yummo. Now I’m excited. Keep the foliage for later.

Some nice hot red chillies and my left over organic garlic. These two guys have a long and beautiful relationship.

An old roma tomato that has seen better days but it was all I had.

All done now and ready to go in the pan. I put the chillies in a few pictures back because they ain’t gonna burn like the garlic. Never burn garlic unless you mean it.

Golden rule #2 wooden spoons are never to be left in the pan. We’re not cooking wood. Put it on the side or on a side plate beside the cooker and if you do what I do just make sure there are no flames creeping up the side of the pan. Look at these guys cooking up a storm together on a med to low heat depending on your stove.

Stand back guys! Here comes the flavour crew. We got cumin, smoked pimento(paprika), hot cayenne and sweet paprika just because the more the merrier. Well, no. That’s not actually true but they all like each other so much. If you wanna get all fancy pants I’d suggest throwing the spices in a little pan and heating them up a bit to activate them. It releases all the inner goodness. Spot the measuring spoon? Old chef habits die-hard!

Now that just about everything is in the pan you could add in some tomato puree for richness with a tea-spoon of sugar depending on the acidity or some chicken stock to add some extra flavour. I’m cooking for a vego otherwise I’d throw some kangaroo mince in or something gamey.

Today we have two types of beans. One half full organic tin, I’ve been ripped off again but don’t you like the white protective lining? So, drain off the thick sugary liquid and pop ’em in the pan to join the party. I would generally try to soak raw beans over night and cook ’em up but time…err…I forgot.

Looking good now. We’re nearly there. Give it a stir about.

Every time you add an ingredient let the chilli  get back up to a good temperature otherwise it’ll get a bit stewy. Also, steer clear of tinned tomatoes. Them healthy living types say the acidic tomatoes eat away at the can and soak up all sorts of nasty chems and metals which will give you Alzheimer’s by the time you’re 50. Use a bottle of passata or something similar.

Now stir it all together and let it cook on a low heat for 15-20 minutes. You might need to add some water or other liquid if it starts to dry out.