Slow Cooker Bean, Quinoa and Pumpkin Chili

Many, many years ago I met a good looking guy at a gas station. He was SO cute and I wanted to impress him with my baking.

Fall was in the air and I knew my pumpkin bread was a winner so I made him a loaf. 


Years later I found out that the cute guy didn't like pumpkin but sure loved everything else I cooked.

Now you wonder why am I making pumpkin chili?

The love of my life and I went to Olive Garden and I brought home almost all of my meal. He's going to have the pasta tonight and I'll have the chili.

It's all about compromise.

I made a few changes to the original recipe. The original recipe calls for 3 cans of beans, I added 2. 

Quinoa is a favorite and Gabe dislikes it along with the pumpkin so it was all mine to enjoy.

 I added 1/2 cup quinoa which I cooked in 1 cup of chicken broth. When the quinoa was cooked I set it aside and added it to the crockpot the last 1/2 hour of cooking the chili.

Recipe adapted from AGGIE'S Kitchen

Ingredients:

3 garlic cloves, minced
2 teaspoons olive oil
1 large onion, chopped
1 – 2 sweet yellow or orange pepper, chopped( used green peppers)
3 cups broth (vegetable or chicken)
3 cans beans of your choice( I used 2 cans, 1 15 ounce can of black beans and 115 ounce can of cannellini beans, rinsed and drained
1 15 ounce can pure pumpkin
1 14.5 can diced tomatoes, undrained ( used diced Fire- Roasted)
2 teaspoons chipotle chili powder
1 teaspoon cumin( used 2 teaspoons)
1 teaspoon smoked paprika
2 teaspoons oregano
good pinch salt and pepper( didn't use)
Greek yogurt or sour cream, for serving( added shredded cheese on top to serve- use a cheese of your choice)

Direction:

In a large frying pan saute the onion and garlic in olive oil.In the original recipe she didn't saute and added the onion and garlic directly to the crockpot.

Once the onion and garlic are cooked add to the crockpot along with the rest of the ingredients and cook for 3 to 4 hours on a low setting ( my crockpot runs hot) or until thoroughly heated. 

I love adding cheese to chili but Greek yogurt or sour cream can be added when serving.



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