easy chili recipe – In Good Taste

How To Make Homemade Pumpkin Puree [Recipe: Pumpkin Chili]

Maris Callahan — Sat, 15 Oct 2011 17:48:56 +0000

Let’s talk about pumpkin, shall we? I hope you aren’t sick of it yet. Since it’s mid-October, we’ve all realized by now that pumpkin is everywhere. It’s at the farmer’s market, it’s on sale at the grocery store and on almost every blog I’ve read since the end of August, there is a glowing tribute to pumpkin so complimentary it borders on pornographic. I like pumpkin just as much as the next gal, you see, but there’s nothing inappropriate going on over here unless you’re talking about the calorie consumption department in which case, I plead no contest. Whether you’re planning to write a Harlequin-style romance about pumpkin on your blog or simply roast one for a pumpkin cheesecake pie, you might need to know how to roast a pumpkin. While donuts and chocolate chip bars and scones are all reasonable uses for pumpkin puree, they won’t help you maintain your dress size until January, so I thought I’d share a more nutritious way to use pumpkin this year. I developed this recipe for a presentation I did earlier this month at the Chicago Junior League about how to prepare healthy fall recipes. Now, while I’m comfortable sharing intimate details […]

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Chipotle Spiced Sweet Potato Chili

Maris Callahan — Tue, 15 Mar 2011 10:24:46 +0000

I have a theory that the only people who don’t like sweet potatoes haven’t tried them. And they definitely haven’t tried this chipotle sweet potato chili. Or maybe they have tried them but they’ve tried them plain, cooked half-heartedly in a microwave and topped with something lackluster, like fat-free sour cream or worse: fake butter. Sweet potatoes also take a lot of flack when it comes to French fries. Dedicated eaters have strong opinions about how they like their French fries: thick steak fries to drag through ketchup or barbecue sauce, thin crispy pommes frites to eat sprinkled with sea salt or truffle oil. Now I’m giving myself a craving for French fries. My point here is that sweet potatoes are easily an unsung hero in the tuber family and without having tried them in a wide variety of recipes that have different flavors and textures it’s hard to give them the credit they deserve. Sweet potatoes offer a myriad of health benefits so when you’re making a hot, stick-to-your-ribs, spicy chili recipe they are a perfect way to inject a little nutrition into your dinner. Save Print Chipotle Spiced Sweet Potato Chili Author: Maris Callahan Recipe type: Cooking for a Crowd, […]

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Chipotle-Spiced Sweet Potato Chili

Maris Callahan — Sun, 13 Feb 2011 02:54:36 +0000

Last month my friend/colleague Trisha and I went to a cooking class at The Chopping Block where we learned how to make a rendition of this chili so I decided to duplicate it with a little of my own flavor. So in turn, I’m gifting you with the best chili ever. Because this chili? Is delicious. Maybe better than delicious. It’s the kind of chili you’re going to think about when you’re not eating it. It’s a spicy, stick-to-your-ribs variation that is packed with fiber and protein so you don’t even have to feel guilty if you eat it with half a bag of tortilla chips (not that I’ve done that…it was um, a friend). Save Print Chipotle-Spiced Sweet Potato Chili Author: Maris Callahan Recipe type: Cooking for a Crowd, Worknight Dinners Prep time: 20 mins Cook time: 20 mins Total time: 40 mins Serves: 8 Ingredients 1 pound Sweet Potatoes, Peeled And Cubed Into ½ Inch Dice 2 Tablespoons Extra-virgin Olive Oil, Divided 1 whole Onion, Medium Dice 2 cloves Garlic, Rough Chopped 1 Tablespoon Ground Chili Pepper 2 teaspoons Ground Cumin 1 teaspoon Ground Chipotle Pepper Powder 1 cup Dark Beer 1 can 28 Oz Can Whole Tomatoes 2 whole […]

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Pinto Bean and Beef Chili

Maris Callahan — Sun, 31 Jan 2010 01:00:00 +0000

January presents somewhat of a conundrum. On one hand, it’s cold out and the weather lends to hibernation, dim light, fireplaces and big bowls of chili…pinto bean and beef chili. The holiday season and abundance of cookies and calorie-laden treats seems long-ago but they’ve left a lasting presence on your jeans. It’s sluggishness versus the gym; comfort food versus healthy food. Luckily, things aren’t always black and white. In life there are gray areas and things that might seem to be one way are actually another. Things that seem bad or scary can work out for the best and dreams that seem highly unlikely sometimes wind up happening. There is no cryptic analogy here, but it’s late at night and I’m feeling particularly contemplative. And also, there’s chili. A thick and aromatic pot of cubed beef and beans, simmering with browned onions and beer might seem like it would wreak havoc on your diet. In actuality, each protein-packed serving has less than 400 calories. I skipped the radishes and avocados that the recipe called for and instead topped mine with a warm corn tortilla (for only fifty additional calories) and a spoonful of fat-free sour cream. If you don’t like […]

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Every Vegetable Chili

Maris Callahan — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 03:44:03 +0000

Ever since I moved to Chicago I’ve been fascinated by some of the unusual architecture in the city. It seems that on every corner, in every park there is a different statue – a different interpretation of classic American or modern art. Even though the American Gothic is both awe-inspiring and fascinating (and bone-chillingly creepy. Yeah, I went there) I’m a lot more perplexed by “the bean” (pictured above) in Millennium Park. Actually titled “Cloud Gate” the sculpture is actually a 110-ton series of polished stainless steel plates inspired by liquid mercury. At 66 by 33 feet, it’s the largest sculpture of its kind and offers a mirror image of the city skyline. But this is a food blog, not an art blog or an architecture blog. Even though “the bean” is a noteworthy Chicago landmark, we’re here to talk about a different kind of bean: the kind that mixes well with diced tomatoes, ground beef or turkey and vegetables. To me, chili is a one-pot go-to meal for busy nights. Even though some chili recipes suggest cooking it for hours, I’ve made plenty of chili recipes that are especially suitable for busy weeknights: Classic Turkey Chili, Spicy Chicken Cornbread Chili and White Bean & Apple […]

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