Vegetarian Quinoa Chili

Ingredients 
1/2 cup quinoa

1 cup water

1 tablespoon olive oil

1 small onion, chopped

3 cloves garlic, minced

1 jalapeno pepper, diced

1 large carrot, peeled and chopped

2 celery stalks, chopped

1 green bell pepper, chopped

1 red bell pepper, chopped

1 medium zucchini, chopped

2 (15 ounce cans) black beans, drained and rinsed

1 (15 ounce can) red kidney beans, drained and rinsed

1 (28 ounce can) crushed tomatoes

1 (28 ounce can) tomato puree

2-3 tablespoons chili powder depending on your taste (we used 3)

1 tablespoon ground cumin

Salt and black pepper to taste

Optional toppings: green onions, avocado slices, cheese, sour cream, greek yogurt, chips, crackers, etc.

Instructions

1. In a medium sauce pan, combine the quinoa and water. Cook over medium heat until water is absorbed, about 15 minutes. Set aside.

2. In a large pot, heat the olive oil over high heat. Add the onion and cook until tender, about 5 minutes. Stir in garlic, jalapeño, carrot, celery, peppers, and zucchini. Cook until vegetables are tender, about 10 minutes.

3. Add the black beans, kidney beans, tomatoes, and tomato sauce. Stir in the cooked quinoa. Season with chili powder, cumin, salt, and black pepper. Simmer chili on low for about 30 minutes. Serve warm.

Makes 8 servings.

Notes:

-       Quinoa could also be cooked in a pressure cooker or your favorite preparation method.

-       If it’s too thick feel free to add some tomato sauce or juice to thin it to the desired consistency.

-       This freezes well.

-       Instead of simmering for 30 min everything could be transferred to a crock pot and cooked on low during the day.

Chili

Ingredients 
1.5-2 lbs ground beef and/or pork

1 small onion, chopped

2 (15 ounce cans) chili beans

2 (15 ounce cans) kidney beans, drained and rinsed

1 (28 ounce can) crushed tomatoes

1 (28 ounce can) tomato puree

2-3 tablespoons chili powder depending on your taste

1 tablespoon ground cumin

1/2 tablespoon garlic powder

Instructions

1. Cook ground beef and onion together.

2. Combine meat, beans and tomatoes in large pot (~5 qt).

3. Season with chili powder, cumin, salt, and black pepper, adjust to taste. Simmer chili on low for about 30 minutes. Serve warm.

Notes:

-       If it’s too thick feel free to add some tomato sauce or juice to thin it to the desired consistency.

-       This freezes well.

-       Instead of simmering for 30 min everything could be transferred to a crock pot and cooked on low during the day.

Quinoa Black Bean Tacos

Ingredients 
1 cup uncooked quinoa

1 clove garlic, minced

Dash of salt

1/2 Tbsp chili powder

1/4 tsp cumin

1/4 tsp oregano

1/4 tsp smoked paprika

2 cups cooked (or 15 oz can) black beans

Instructions

1. Put the quinoa in a medium pot along with the garlic, salt, chili powder, cumin, oregano, smoked paprika, and 1.5 cups of water. Stir to combine. Put a lid on the pot, turn the heat on to high, and bring it up to a boil. As soon as it reaches a boil, turn the heat down to low and let simmer for 15 minutes. After 15 minutes, turn the heat off and let it sit (with the lid in place) for an additional 10 minutes.

2. Rinse the black beans well in a colander and allow the excess water to drain off.

3. When the quinoa has finished cooking, remove the lid and fluff with a fork. Add the drained black beans and stir to combine.

4. Service with your choice of tortillas and toppings (cheese, sour cream, salsa, avocado, etc)

Makes 8 servings.

Notes:

-       Quinoa could also be cooked in a pressure cooker or your favorite preparation method.

-       This freezes well, just heat up in the microwave.

-       I have used this mixture on nachos before too.

Chicken and Chorizo Soup

Ingredients 
2 chicken breasts

1 t smoked paprika

1 T olive oil

4 oz mild chorizo sausages, sliced

1 onion, diced

2 cloves garlic, minced

1 T parsley

1 15 oz can diced (or crushed) tomatoes

1 15 oz can butter or navy beans

1/4 t thyme

1 bay leaf

Salt and pepper

Instructions

1. Sprinkle the chicken with the smoked paprika, then heat the oil in a dutch oven over med-high heat and brown the meat all over.

2. Lift out the chicken and add the chorizo to the pan.

3. When the oil starts to come out of the chorizo, add the onion and cook over a low heat for about 5 minutes.

4. Add the garlic and a tablespoon of parsley. Cover and cook gently for another 10 minutes.

5. Add the tomatoes and beans and give it a stir. Add a little water if the mixture is a bit thick. Return the chicken to the pot, along with the thyme and bay leaf. Turn up the heat and bring up to a simmer. Lower the heat to its lowest setting, cover the pot and let it bubble away gently for 30 minutes or so. Remove the lid and simmer for another 15 minutes, until the sauce is thick and rich.

6. Serve with warm crusty bread and a salad.

Makes 4 servings.