Vegetarian Quinoa Chili Recipe

Vegetarian Quinoa Chili Recipe

Ingredients

• 2 cups cooked quinoa 

• 1 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil

• 1 large yellow onion, diced (1 3/4 cup)

• 4 cloves garlic, minced 

• 2 (14.5 oz) cans diced tomatoes

• 1 (15 oz) can tomato sauce

• 1 1/2 - 2 cups water (or chicken broth if not making vegetarian)

• 1 (7 oz) can diced green chiles

• 2 1/2 Tbsp chili powder

• 2 tsp ground cumin

• 2 tsp cocoa powder 

• 1 1/2 tsp paprika

• 1/2 tsp granulated sugar

• 1/2 tsp ground coriander

• 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper, or to taste (optional)

• Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

• 2 (15 oz) cans kidney beans, drained and rinsed (I used one dark red, one light red)

• 1 (15 oz) can black beans, drained and rinsed

• 1 1/2 cups fresh or frozen corn

• 1/2 cup cilantro, chopped

• Juice of 1 lime

• Heat olive oil in a large enameled cast iron pot over medium-high heat. Once oil is hot add onion and saute until tender, about 4 minutes, adding in garlic during last 30 seconds of sauteing. Add in diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, cooked quinoa, water (start with 1 1/2 cups then add more later if desired), green chiles, chili powder, cumin, cocoa, paprika, sugar, coriander, cayenne pepper and season with salt and pepper to taste. Bring mixture just to a boil, then reduce heat to a simmer, cover pot and allow to simmer 30 minutes.

• Add in all beans, corn, cilantro and lime and cook until heated through. Serve warm with optional toppings and sides (cheddar, sour cream, diced avocados, saltine crackers or tortilla chips).