Let’s get right down to business. While eating this sweet potato chili for dinner last week, I happily exclaimed to Chris, “This is a super healthy meal!” He gave me a look and replied, “No, it’s not. It can’t be. It doesn’t taste healthy. There’s no way this is healthy!” Boom. When you make a meatless chili that’s incredibly satisfying, filling, and delicious, you have a make over and over again dish on your hands. This sweet potato chili may not taste healthy, but it is! And that’s the very best kind of healthy.
We woke up this morning to another big snowstorm on our hands here in Boston. The only good thing about more snow? Perfect chili eating weather! And this recipe makes plenty, so you can stick some in the freezer for a later, snowy date. Really, I don’t mind the snow much at all since a) I work from home, b) I live in an apartment complex and don’t need to shovel, or even go outside, c) I don’t drive in Boston and we have a garage for Chris’s car, and d) I have super warm, comfy Sorel Joan of Arctic boots and lots of other fabulous winter-gear. So really, I have no right whatsoever to complain. Plus, snow days are kind of fun when Chris gets to stay home and work with me!
This meal was seriously one of the easiest to make. Chop some veggies, open some cans of beans, throw everything in a pot, and let it simmer. I was inspired by this recipe, but made lots of alterations. Like adding jalapenos, which gave the chili just the kick it needed!
Sweet Potato Chili (serves 6):
• 2 large sweet potatoes, peeled and chopped
• 1 red bell pepper, diced
• 1 jalapeno, chopped
• 1 T olive oil
• 1 large onion, diced
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 2 T chili powder
• 1 t cumin
• 1/2 t dried oregano
• 2 C water
• 1 can diced tomatoes in juice (14.5 oz.)
• 2 T tomato paste
• 1 can black beans (15 oz.), rinsed and drained
• 1 can kidney beans (15 oz.), rinsed and drained
• 2 T cilantro, chopped (for garnish)
• 1/2 avocado, chopped (for garnish)
Really, the toughest part of this recipe was the chopping. I always like to get it out of the way before I begin anything else.
Sweet potatoes:
Peppers:
(and onion and garlic, too!)
Now, heat the oil in a large saucepan over medium heat and add the onion and garlic. Cook, while stirring, until the onions appear to be translucent, about 3 minutes.
Then stir in the peppers and cook for about 10 more minutes. Don’t forget to keep stirring! After 10 minutes, stir in the chili powder, cumin, and oregano and cook for another 2.
Ready for the next step? Add in ALL the other ingredients besides the garnish, obvi (cilantro and avocado). This includes (deep breath!) sweet potatoes, water, diced tomatoes, tomato paste, black beans, and kidney beans.
And bring the mixture to a boil. Hello, you just basically finished the whole recipe. I told you it was easy!
Then, lower to a simmer, cover, and cook it until the sweet potatoes are nice and tender. I simmered mine for about 25 minutes.
Serve and garnish!
And enjoy the chili that is so good it just can’t be healthy. But it is. I mean, do you see anything bad about this chili?
I don’t want to say it tasted “meaty” because that might freak some people out, but it was totally hearty and tasted like so much more than just veggies. The flavors were out of this world and I honestly would make this over and over and over (next time I might even double the recipe so I can have some in the freezer for a long, long time).
I mean, you could even make this chili for the Super Bowl and have a whole lot of people oohing and ahhing over it before you tell them it’s packed with antioxidants, fiber, and other good stuff. I mean, it kinda balances out all the buffalo wings and nachos, right? I’m going with yes.
Or maybe it actually balances out what I’ll be posting later this week. Which I’m warning you is very dangerous. But also quite necessary in this weather. Trust me.
With so many people complaining about winter, I want to know what makes you HAPPY about winter?
I actually love the snow, especially the view from my window when I’m on the couch. I also love my Sorel Joan of Arctic Boots, my Ugg slippers, the beautiful and warm scarf my sister knitted for me, and lots and lots of hot tea. These are the things I’ll totally miss come summer! Also, leggings under jeans. If you’re not doing it, start. You’ll thank me later.
[Sues]
this recipe looks perfect for a day like today. ive never ventured out of my meat-chili comfort zone, but this seems like something i could handle.
happy in winter… soup, ugg slippers DEF, fur hat 🙂
That looks so good!
This is a great twist on tradition chili. I love the avocado addition.
oooh. every new meatless chili recipe is a recipe added to my folder!
cannot wait to try!
sounds delicious 🙂 i bet it would also be good with a chipotle and adobo! i need a good pair of boots… got away with it last year, but this year’s been rough!
YUM! Looks totally comforting! I love adding sweet potato or squash to chili. Stay warm & safe up there! Crazy weather
I love sweet potato chili- this looks great!
I need to make this recipe this weekend!!!
This looks incredibly hearty! I don’t mind the snow as much for the same reasons as you (although I swear by my Burberry slickers). Since I work close to home, it is nice when the city is quiet and I can wear jeans to work and crank out a lot of work in the office!
Sweet potatoes, black beans, and avocado…three of my favorite things! I can’t wait to try this recipe.
I love the winter…nothing better than having a warm dish of comfort, a good glass of red, and a view of the snow 🙂
yeesss, another urbanite who shares my love of snow 🙂 And for all the same reasons as you listed – just swap in my heavy duty North Face boots alternated with my plaid Ralph Lauren rain boots and we have a win. This soup is also a win, very creative touch to make chili with sweet potato!!
I am soooo with you on leggings under jeans! It’s a must for this snowy winter. Chili looks delish!
this looks delicious!
As a real carnivore, I love finding hearty, veggie-filled dishes that don’t make you miss the meat. If you are looking for insanely good sweet potatoes, head over to the Somerville Winter Market. I’ve never tasted anything like them. My Hunter boots and Gor-Tex gloves are definitely making winter more comfortable… but I am still whining about all this snow!
Sweet potatoes and black beans are one of my favorite combos. I don’t know if I ever add tomato paste. I should try that.
This chili looks and sounds delicious! I love being able to see the ingredients in a chili and not be a big bowl of mush.
I made a very similar version of this a few weeks ago! So tasty!
I think winter isn’t so bad if you’re prepared – boots, down coat, etc! This is the first year I am prepared for winter and I’m rather loving it!
I love when winter begins… but in NYC when it snows most of it turns to black slush which is disgusting and leaves all my pant legs speckled with sludge. It aint pretty… i guess i love days in flannel pajamas with hot coffee and netflix. 🙂 I’m simple that.
Now lets talk about that chili that looks so perfect and delicious for this snowy and icy hell; i want! I need! I must have! it looks fab!
Ahhhh!! What I wouldn’t give for a good bowl of chili right now! I’m stuck in Chicago, and let’s just say that I’m tired of hotel food. 🙂
Looks DELICIOUS! Might just brave the elements in a bit to grab ingredients and make it tonight.
This chili looks fantastic! I LOVE sweet potatoes, and adding them to chili is a great idea.
Although I am getting a little sick of winter, there are definitely aspects that I love: hot and comforting meals (like chili!), staying inside as the snow falls and then going out and playing in it with our dog, and snow days!
Those are some seriously warm boots you have there! I feel very fortunate that I don’t have to deal with all the snow anymore….we’ve had cold here and there, but who cares? It’s snow I’ve had enough of in my life! 🙂
Love the chili dish, mainly because of all the sweet potatoes…my favorite.
This looks delicious! And correct me if I’m wrong, but not only is it healthy, it’s vegan! Perhaps a little sprinkle of cheese on top would make it even better – and cheese is dairy, which is obv healthy (although not vegan)! What makes me happy about winter? Escaping to somewhere warm! 🙂
I always thought I was the only person who wore leggings under jeans! This chili looks fabulous. Hearty meals and hot chocolate are my favorite parts about cold weather. Also, my car was completely encased in ice this morning and it was kinda fun whacking it to break the ice off!
mmmm I love sweet potatoes! this looks delicious. i’d have to eat this all by myself though b/c my silly husband doesn’t like sweet potatoes! 😛
I adore pumpkin in chili so I imagine that sweet potato would make me feel the same way. Yum, yum, yum!
Chopping hard veggies is such a pain! But judging by your photos, it was totally worth it!
I hate winter, but I love sitting at a roaring fire while drinking a spicy red wine. You can’t do that in August.
I cannot wait to try this recipe, it sounds delicious and fabulous.
Misa