Cozy Sweet Potato Chili Recipe

Warm Up your Autumn Nights with Hearty Nutritious Food

The wind is blowing swiftly and determined, autumn is here and it will sift through all leaving only the essential. Chilled nights accompany it. Between the morning and night, the thermometer only rises a few degrees. We seek the refuge of home and of cozy evenings wrapped in blankets by the fire. Our bodies crave the warm hearty bowls filled with nutritiously spiced chili. While our souls linger a bit in between letting go and holding fast.

We sit at the dinner table and find that our souls relax. The smells of warm bread or spices comfort us. These are spices we loved but had forgotten during warm summer days. But the cold autumn days remind us to come home to the familiar again. My son turned 14 this year. I am not sure how this happened. Yet year after year I have seen the blossoming of a soul towards maturity before my eyes. His birthday fell on a Sunday pregnant with sabbath delight. There was football on TV and the lingering of just being called to him. He was at ease and he requested I make chili for his birthday dinner, I was happy to oblige.

His birth came warm in the midst of a stunning Indian summer. But the fall persisted in arriving 14 years ago trailed by pumpkin spice lattes. So, now his birthday begins a turning towards fall for our family. In the moody autumn evenings we love to gather at the table and celebrate with good food, candle light, and friends.

“Autumn is the season to find contentment at home by paying attention to what we already have.”
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Sweet Potato Chili

Ingredients

1 tablespoon of ghee of live oil
1 yellow onion diced
5 carrots chopped (or 2 cups)
3-4 sweet potatoes chopped (3 cups)
3 parsnips chopped
4 garlic cloves minced
1/4 cup of fresh cilantro chopped
1/2 tsp of paprika
1/2 tsp of cumin
1/2 tsp of oregano
1 tbs of Chili powder
1/2 tsp of cinnamon
1/4 tsp of ground chipotle *optional
2 tsp of salt (plus more to taste)
1 tsp of black pepper
2 bay leaves
1 can (28 OZ) of Fire roasted tomatoes
2 Tbs of tomato paste thinned with water
5-6 cups of chicken or vegetable broth
1.5 lbs of ground beef
1/2 lb of chorizo
Salt and pepper to taste
*two cans of red beans if desired

Toppings for Serving

cilantro
sour cream
cotija cheese
Serve with a side of cornbread or crusty bread
or even home made tortilla chips

Instructions

Gather all the ingredients to your cooking area prep the vegetables
Turn the stove to a medium heat
In a hot dutch oven or pot add the ghee or olive oil
Cook the diced onion about 5 min until onions are translucent
Then add the meat and brown it, if the meat has made an excess of drippings you can dab some with a paper towel or carefully pour it out
Next add the garlic and spices, sauté for 1-2 min
The diced carrots, sweet potatoes, and parsnips are next. Add them to the pot and let them cook together for about 5 minutes
Pour in the 5 cups of chicken broth
Bring to a boil cover and lower the heard to medium heat. Let it simmer for 20 minutes until the veggies are tender. If the broth is thickened too much you can add the last cup of broth
Taste and add salt and pepper to taste if needed
Serve immediately* with any of the toppings and bread

Notas: *optional
The first time I made this chili I wanted it to be Whole 30 compliant. I have enjoyed it this way so much that I don’t use beans. If you want to add them I am sure they will make it even more heartier and just as delicious.

*If you can not find cotija cheese, you can use queso fresco or feta
* The beauty of this chili is that it can be served immediately but when it sits it will also grow in depth of flavor so no rush if you made it ahead of time.

I hope you enjoy trying out this recipe and look forward to hearing your thoughts!
Buen provecho!
With grace and warmth,

DAISY F. DRONEN EXISTS TO

write words of hope, tell stories of grace and love, & gather on purpose

A Simple Charcuterie Guide

What a perfect time to start honing your charcuterie skills! I have just the right thing to help you feel ready and confident while you gather. I created this simple and beautiful charcuterie guide for you. In my opinion it’s cute enough to display and then it would always be available for you! Plus, I am always honored to offer you practical content for purposeful and life giving time around the table. Check it out by clicking on the graphic below!