After a long blogging hiatus, I am typing this post amidst New England’s first blizzard of the year.

Since everyone knows that chili is the official meal of winter, I am taking this opportunity to post my own vegetarian version of this all-star comfort food. Packed with vitamins, protein, and tons of traditional chili flavor, this dish is a complete meal in itself, so there’s no need to plan for side dishes.

If you’ve been following Keeping the Light House for a while, you know I typically keep the chit-chat to a minimum on my recipe posts on purpose. (Seriously, there is no need to write a whole dissertation on dinner.)

So, let’s get to it!

Ingredients: 

• 1 small onion, chopped
• 3-4 cloves of garlic, chopped
• 1 tbsp oil (I use canola)
• 1 large sweet potato, peeled and chopped
• 1 10 oz bag frozen corn kernels
• 1 can black, red, or white beans (use what you’ve got)
• 2 (14.5 oz) cans diced tomatoes
• 1 (15 oz)  can tomato sauce
• 1/2 cup uncooked quinoa
• juice of 1 lime, (about 2 tbsp)
• 3 tbsp chopped cilantro
• 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper (more or less… skip it all together if you don’t like too much heat)
• 1 1/2 tbsp chili powder
• 1 tsp cumin
• 1 1/2 tsp paprika
• salt and pepper to taste

For garnish:

• tortilla chips
• shredded cheese (I use whatever is in the fridge)
• sour cream
• chopped avocado
• chopped green onion
• extra cilantro

What to do:

1. In a large heavy pot, add oil and onion. Allow onion to saute for about 4-5 minutes, add garlic, and continue cooking for an additional 2-3 minutes.
2. Add chopped sweet potato and saute for another 5 minutes.

   

3. Add chopped tomatoes, tomato sauce, lime juice, cilantro, cayenne pepper, chili powder, cumin, paprika, salt, and pepper. Mix well and bring to a simmer.

   

4. Add corn and beans.
5. While chili is simmering, prepare quinoa according to directions. I like to undercook it just a bit so it doesn’t overcook in the chili and turn mushy.
6. Once sweet potatoes are tender, mix in cooked quinoa and bring to a simmer one more time.

   

7. Serve in bowls and top with cheese, sour cream, green onion, or whatever else you can find. Personally, I eat the whole bowl with tortilla chips… no spoon needed.

   

Now, snuggle up, eat up, and stay warm!