IMBB? - Three Bean Chili

This month's "Is My Blog Burning?" event is being hosted by Cathy over at My Little Kitchen.  When I heard the theme was going to be "beans, beans, the musical fruit...", I just about died.  Everyone knows what happens when you eat a lot of beans, and that's not something that I was looking forward to.

Since I've been eating way too many meals out and I haven't got a clue about what's been going into my stomach, I thought I'd try something a bit healthy for this event.  It's been a while since I've eaten vegetarian dishes, but beans make the perfect substitute for meat.  They contain protein and fiber and can be quite delicious. 

So tonight, for dinner, I decided to make a vegetarian, three bean chili.  You can use dry beans, which should be soaked overnight, or canned beans.  I chose the latter so that it would be quicker and easier to make.  Hope you enjoy this as much as I do.

Three Bean Chili

1 medium Maui onion, roughly chopped*
1 medium zucchini, sliced, then cut into fours
1 large Okinawan sweet potato, peeled and cubed*
1 can (15 ounce) garbanzo beans, drained*
1 can (15 ounce) dark red kidney beans, drained*
1 can (15 ounce) black beans, drained*
1 can (14.5 ounce) diced tomatoes*
1 can (8 ounce) tomato sauce
1 cup water
2 tablespoons chili powder*
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
chopped jalapenos (optional)
cayenne pepper (optional)

Heat vegetable oil in a large pot and saute onions until translucent, about 2-3 minutes. 

Add all ingredients except zucchini to the pot.  Bring to a boil and then reduce heat to simmer.  Cover pot and simmer for about 15 minutes. 

Add in zucchini and simmer for another 7-10 minutes or until sweet potatoes and zucchini are tender. 

Serve while hot.

**NOTE**

- If using dry beans use one cup of each.  Soak overnight and drain prior to adding to the pot.
- Any sweet onion may be substitued for Maui onion.
- Instead of Okinawan sweet potatoes, sweet potatoes or baking potatoes may be used.  You should use approximately 1 pound of potatoes (2 medium).
- Instead of 1 can of diced tomatoes and one can tomato sauce, you may substitute four large, fresh tomatoes.  Remove the skin, dice and add to the pot.  You may have to add more water as well.
- Chili powder should be added to taste.
- Cayenne pepper and jalapenos can be added for extra heat.

By the way, I didn't have any black beans in the cupboard, so I only used one can each of garbanzo beans and dark red kidney beans.

Here's my chili...

The flavor of the chili is a bit spicy, but the Okinawan sweet potatoes add just a touch of sweetness for a nicely balanced flavor. 

Enjoy!

Comments

[Tristin Laughter]

Hey Reid,
I LOVE your blog. I am coming to Oahu in October to get hitched and my boyfriend and I have been reading you to get the low down. I have already written down the addresses of w & m and I heart Country Cafe on your recommendation.

I make a lot of chili, so I thought I would send you MY recipe. It does have meat, but you could omit it.

1 large or 2 small yellow onion
1 green pepper
1 serrano pepper
1/2 head of garlic
cumin
coriander
chili powder
cayenne pepper
1 small can tomato paste
1 big can tomato puree
about $4.00 of ground sirloin
1 can each, black beans, kidney beans, pinto beans
honey
balsamic vinegar to taste

1. brown sirloin w/salt and pepper, set aside on paper towel to drain
2. saute chopped onion and green pepper, add serrano and garlic
3. add a LOT of chili powder and cumin and a MODERATE amount of coriander and a little cayenne
4.add tomato paste and mix well, add tomato sauce, then add all beans and meat
5. squirt about 1/4 cup of honey and a splash of vinegar in and lots of salt
6. eat up!

Best Wishes from the Frozen North, Brooklyn!
xo Tristin

[santos]

hey reid

sweet potato! i don't eat a lot of chili, but this looks great, and i love the addition of sweet potato. wow. looks like i'll be eatin' a lot of beans this year. better buy some beano before i get home, huh?

[fish fish]

Evil pic! It makes fish fish saliva stimulated once look at it. >.<

[milgwimper]

WOW Reid it is very drool worthy!

[lance]

Great pic!!!! Looks so good!!! Nice gravy. And so fast to make too. I've got to try it. Thanks Reid.......

[Reid]

Hi Tristan,

Thanks for stopping by my blog and for leaving me a comment. Thanks so much for the compliment! =)

I used to live in Brooklyn years ago. In Park Slope and Clinton Hill to be exact. I can just imagine the weather now...and I don't envy you on bit! Nice to know that you'll be getting married here. Good luck to you and your future husband.

Thanks also for the recipe. I have a recipe for chili with sirlion, but I think I'll try yours. It sounds quite nice.

Hi Santos,

I normally like to have potatoes in my chili for some reason. People think it's a bit strange. Normally I use regular baking potatoes in chili with sirloin. In vegetarian chili, I like to use sweet potatoes. And yes, after all of these beans, I think all of us who participated will need to stock up on beano! =P

Hi fish fish,

I'm glad you like the photo and since you're a vegetarian, I knew you would like this. I like it too. =)

Hi milgwimper,

Thanks for the compliment. I like chili, I just don't eat much of it...and I certainly don't eat much of the vegetarian kind.

Hi lance,

Thanks for the compliments. If you do make this, let me know how it turns out. I'd be curious to know if you like it or not.

[Jeanne]

Hey Reid - that looks delicious and really wholesome - and I know the chilli heat would appeal to my husband!! Maybe I'll leave the recipe tacked to the fridge so that next time he has to fend for himself for dinner, he will have some inspiration ;-) Thanks for sharing the recipe!

[Moira]

Hi Reid,

Wow, your chili sounds fantastic! I've never thought of adding sweet potato, but I'll have to give it a try next time around (I just made chili on Saturday).

Cheers,
Moira

[MrsT]

Interesting.. Reid. :)

[Reid]

Hi Jeanne,

Thank you for your kind words. This is one of those dishes that I make every now and then when I'm too lazy to really cook something up. All it requires you to do is dump everything into a pot and 25 minutes later, it's ready. I'm sure it's husband friendly! =)

Hi Moira,

Thanks for the compliment. I really should take cooking lessons from you! =)

I like using sweet potato in this as it gives it added flavor. I like the contrast of spicy chili with sweet potato. If you try it let me know how yo like it!

Hi MrsT,

Thank you! =) For me, it's not chili if there are no potatoes in it...

[Cathy]

Hi Reid - I finally made it over to your blog! Your chili sounds great! I don't think I've ever had sweet potatoes in chili, but I love the idea! I also like that this has three kinds of beans in it - the more the merrier! How does the Okinawa sweet potato compare to a regular sweet potato? Thanks so much for participating in IMBB 11!

[Reid]

Hi Cathy,

Thanks for stopping by. It's been a while. It was my pleasure to participate. I actually need to cook at home more often.

The Okinawan sweet potatoes have a more subtle flavor if you ask me, but at time they can also be really sweet. It just depends. These were mildly sweet, not as sweet as I would normally like, but sweet enough for this dish.

You should try making vegetarian chili with beans and potatoes, it's really good!

[Cathy]

"It's been awhile"

Hi Reid - I have a confession - I'm here quite often, I'm just not good about leaving comments. I really enjoy reading your restaurant reviews, but I LOVE reading your cooking posts. I'm not sure I'll ever get to eat at any of those restaurants, but the recipes can be used anywhere - even in my kitchen! Even if I don't make all of them...just knowing I can...

[Reid]

Hi Cathy,

OK...I forgive you! =)

I do that sometimes, especially if I'm too tired. But you can always stop by just to say hi. =)