Well, hello there! Happy Friday!
Who wants some of this?
I have LOTS of leftovers around here! This always winds up happening to me…I have the intention of making a small pot of chili, or soup, or anything really, and it turns into a humongo amount. Lucky for me soup freezes well and I have an extra freezer in the garage.
I know some of you out there probably think I’m totally crazy for making chili on a 95+ degree day, but it’s not like I slaved over it in kitchen. I let the crock pot do the majority of the work for me.
Here’s how I did it…
I chopped up the onion, carrots, celery, and garlic and lightly sautéed them in a small amount of olive oil on the stove top for 5-7 minutes (more detailed instructions below). I then transferred the veggies to the crock pot along with all other remaining ingredients except the beans. I used canned beans and I didn’t want them to get too soggy and/or mushy by adding them too early.
I actually let this whole concoction sit together overnight only because I knew I wouldn’t have time to throw this together in the morning, but you could most definitely do this all the morning of.
Since I did let this mingle overnight, it allowed for my quinoa to soak for a long time before cooking, which can aid in digestion. Again, this is a step you can skip if you would like.
The next day I gave it all a stir and turned the crock pot on low at 12:00 pm (this is still without the beans and chiles). This mingled in the crock pot for four hours.
Then I added the beans and the chiles (you could add the chiles to the ingredients that were already in the crock pot, I just kind of forgot/got too lazy to open up the can I guess!
Three hours later when we arrived home, I did some final taste testing, added some additional seasoning, and gave it one last stir.
I chopped some cilantro and fresh avocado to top off the chili.
I got’er all served up!
And I devoured.
You can add any other toppings you like—cheese, sour cream, Greek yogurt, green onions, etc!
So pretty, right? Call me crazy but I can eat chili any time of the year no matter how hot it is. Now, if I didn’t have air conditioning, we would be talking a whole different ball game.
| Four Bean Quinoa Chili | Print |
- 1 large onion, diced
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 cup carrots, chopped
- 1 cup celery, chopped
- 1 cup quinoa (uncooked)
- 3 cup chicken broth**
- 2½ Tbsp chili powder
- 1 Tbsp cumin
- 2 tsp unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1½ tsp smoky paprika
- salt and pepper to taste
- sprinkle of garlic powder
- **you could substitute vegetable stock and make this recipe 100% vegan
- sprinkle of onion powder
- 1-15 oz can black beans
- 1-15 oz can chili beans
- 1-15 oz can red kidney beans
- 1-15 oz can white kidney beans
- 1-4 oz can of diced green chiles
- cilantro (optional topping)
- avocado (optional topping)
- Lightly saute onions, garlic, carrots, and celery on the stove top for 5-7 minutes.
- In a large crockpot, add the sautéed vegetables, quinoa, broth, and all spices. Stir, cover, and turn crockpot on low. Let this go for 4 hours.
- After 4 hours add in the beans and chiles and stir. Recover and let cook for another 2-3 hours.
- Give it one last stir and taste test to make sure seasonings are spot on. Add additional seasonings if desired.
- Serve in pretty bowls and top with cilantro and avocado!
- Enjoy!
What do you think? Am I crazy for making hot chili on a super hot summer day? Do you ever eat soup in the summer?
*********************
Now, to those of you hanging around to find out if you are the winner of the Dara Torres meet and greet, spin class, and free ear buds, your wait ends here.
The two winners are:
1. Katie @ Daily Cup of Kate
2. Stacy Elling
Congrats you two! I will get an email out to both of you with the details of the event!! Thank you all of you who entered!
HApppppppppyyyy Friday!!
Way to go winners! Very exciting!
This chili looks fantastic! I want it now!!!!!
Jackie recently posted…Ugly Eats…
Yummy chili!!! I would totally make this in the summer, so your definitely NOT crazy! I pinned it and will be making asap!
Holly @ EatGreatBEGreat recently posted…Power Foods Friday – Tomatoes
Haha, thanks! I hope you enjoy it as much as I did!
Love that you added cocoa powder to this! I’ve actually been wanting to do that with chili but just haven’t had the time to create a recipe 🙂 yum! I hear it gives an extra punch of flavor.
Ang @ Nutty for Life recently posted…Friday Favorites
I don’t usually add it in but I have seriously been loving cocoa powder lately so I figured why not?! I love it in there!
YUMM!! I am totally adding quinoa to my next batch of chili. 🙂
Katie @ running4cupcakes recently posted…Labor Day Weekend to-do List
Why not add in some more protein, right?!
Now this chili is my kind of recipe! 😉
I love when you can throw dinner in a crockpot and it’s ready to go when you get home. Doesn’t get better than that. No, I don’t think you’re crazy at all. I’ve actually made chili 3x this summer!
Sarah @ Making Thyme for Health recently posted…Ginger Pear Spritzers
That is nice to hear! The crock pot is my BFF. I love throwing things in there and seeing how they turn out at the end of the day!
Oh my goodness, this chili!! Beans and quinoa are pretty much my favorite things so this is going on my “to make on the first few days of fall” list 🙂 Maybe there will be some at HLS??! Hehe…
Becky @ Olives n Wine recently posted…Interview Tips ‘n’ Tricks
One can hope!!! I am really itching for fall right about now.
Chili is good anytime of the year! Kind of like icecream…doesnt matter if its hot or cold out, I’m always in the mood for it! YAY –so excited to win!!!
Katie @ Daily Cup of Kate recently posted…Fitness Friday
Yes, exactly like ice cream! I will that even if it is 20 below zero! Congrats on the win, hon!!
Yay for chili in the Summer!! I love knowing that I am not the only “crazy” person out there ;).
cleaneatingveggiegirl recently posted…Mexican Cauliflower “Rice” with Vegan Sausage
Thank goodness we are both crazy. 😉
I love chili! This looks delish – and I love how easy it is to make! Definitely my kind of meal!! Have a great long weekend!!
Christine @ Gotta Eat Green recently posted…Insta August
Yay! Thanks, you too!
That chili looks delicious… love the addition of quinoa! Sometimes I do eat chili in the summer, but unfortunately the rest of my family’s really not on board with it. Pinning it for Fall!
Kim @ Hungry Healthy Girl recently posted…Meal Planning & Marathon Update
Ha ha yea it’s hard when the fam bam isn’t on board! Glad you pinned it for later though!
This chili sounds wonderful! I love having chili in the crock pot ready for cool fall nights.
Nicole @ FruitnFitness recently posted…driving back home to Minnesota
I am really looking forward to fall!! There will be lots of soups and chili happening in the crock pot!
Hey, girl! I’m planning to make this next week. How much stock did you use? I see where it says that you can use vegetable stock, but I don’t see an amount. Thanks!
Kim @ Hungry Healthy Girl recently posted…Zucchini Pasta with Creamy Avocado Cucumber Sauce
Hi Kim! It’s 3 cups!
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hungry healthy girl brought me here. this looks amazing! i will be making this VERY soon! and i do not think you’re crazy for making chili on a hot summer day. #WhoMadeUpThatRule
Maria @ Little Miss Cornucopia recently posted…mimm : brain food
Ha ha, THANK YOU!! I hope you enjoy it!!
Great Recipe! Going to make this next football sunday! Thanks
Laura@ Fit Running Mama recently posted…A Very Productive and Fun Weekend. How Did You Use the Extra Hour?
Thanks, Laura!! I hope you enjoy it!
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