Warming Homemade Chili

The colder weather is just around the corner and that calls for warming, nourishing meals! I love this time of year in the kitchen! Batch cooking is so easy, as it affords the opportunity to fill up on soups, stews and chilis. I will often double or triple recipes and make extras to freeze so I have grab-and-go meals throughout the week. Chili is always a welcome, wholesome treat, full of tomato-based warming goodness! In this Warming Homemade Chili, I’ve reduced the beef ratio and compensated with some other lovely whole foods including adzuki beans, red peppers and mushrooms. Here are a few of their benefits:

Adzuki Beans: These little red beans are often used in Asian cuisine and offer many great nutrients, including protein. Not only are adzuki beans a great source of protein, but they also provide other nourishing nutrients, including potassium, magnesium, and a healthy dose of antioxidants.

Red Bell Pepper: Bell peppers - red peppers in particular - are a great source of carotenoids. They contain two that are beneficial for eye health, called lutein and beta-carotene. Not only are red bell peppers good for eye health, they are also very high in vitamin C, and a source of a wide range of nutrients, including vitamin A, B6 and folate, to name a few.

Cremini Mushrooms: These fabulous fungi offer ‘mush-room’ for B vitamins! (Sorry!) You’ll find many B’s in creminis, so be sure to add them to any dish for a boost in vitamin B complex. Looking for more antioxidants and a boost to the immune system? Creminis have you covered!

I hope you enjoy this Warming Homemade Chili and all the beneficial nutrients it has to offer. Let it warm your soul during these colder days!

Yields: 6 servings

Prep time: 15 minutes

Cook time: 1 hour

Ingredients:

2 tablespoons avocado oil

1 onion, finely chopped

1 pound organic pasture-raised ground beef

1 ¾ cups bone broth or broth of choice (vegetable, chicken, beef)

Dash pepper

½ teaspoon sea salt

1 teaspoon cumin

1 tablespoon chili powder

1 can (798 ml) diced tomatoes

1 can (398 ml) adzuki beans (my favourite brand is Eden)

2 cloves garlic, minced

1 cup red bell peppers, chopped

1 cup cremini mushroom, sliced (or mushroom of choice)

Directions:

In a large saucepan, heat oil over medium heat. Add onion and cook until translucent.
Add ground beef and ¼ cup broth. Brown meat thoroughly. Season with salt, pepper, cumin and chili powder.
Once meat is browned, add in remaining broth, diced tomatoes, beans, garlic, red peppers and mushrooms.
Simmer for 45 minutes half-covered. Serve with your favourite garnishes (our favourite is guacamole and organic corn chips). Enjoy!