Monday, September 28, 2009

It's chilly outside and there's Chili on the table.....


I love Autumn and the cool weather last night and today has put me in the mood for all things pumpkin as well as a good pot of chili. I am, however, mourning the fact that our fabulous farmers' market will soon be over. Already some of the vendors have gone and the selection is dwindling each weekend. After our trek on Saturday, we came home with some beautiful peppers... thus, the new veggie-chili recipe was born.

1 monster size sweet onion
3 bell peppers (I used red, purple and green)
2 to 6 cloves of garlic, depending on your taste
hot pepper, to your taste, minced.

Mince the hot pepper and roughly chop the onions and bell peppers, then saute them all in olive oil in the bottom of a large pot. I use a stock pot to have plenty of room for all those fabulous veggies. After the onions and peppers have cooked for about five minutes, sliver the garlic cloves and add them, cooking until everything is nice and tender. Then add salt, fresh ground black pepper, cumin, tumeric and cilantro to taste.

1 can each (15 oz): dark red kidney beans, light red kidney beans, pinto beans
2 - 28 oz cans diced tomatoes
1 package Morningstar Farms soy crumbles (optional)

Add the beans, tomatoes and soy crumbles and let it all simmer for a few minutes until it's nice and bubbly and all the flavors have had a chance to get acquainted. If you need more liquid, you can add tomato juice or veggie stock. You could also add in some pasta if you like. Give it a taste for additional seasoning and it's ready for a bowl, some cheese and crackers.

Our God is so cool to give us such beautiful seasons and such wonderful food. I can't wait for the show to begin as the leaves start to change. The changing of the seasons always makes me stand in awe at the wisdom of our Creator. Even now, the little animals are preparing for winter and the trees are getting ready for their season of rest. Then in the Spring, a whole production of miracles will take place as the trees bud, the birds sing and the flowers bloom. What an awesome, awesome God.

Ecc 3:1 To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven.

May you have many seasons of Blessed Tea and Dreams.........
Stace