Sweet and Spicy Vegetarian Chili

It’s that time… I present you with my entry for:

at Marx Foods!

I was sent a box of ingredients to choose from and ultimately chose Tepin Chiles and Dried Tart Cherries.

Sweet and Spicy Vegetarian Chili

Serves 8-10

• 1 28 oz can Black Beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 28 oz can Red Kidney Beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 15 oz can Cannellini Beans, drained and rinsed
• 2 15 oz cans Organic Fire-Roasted Tomatoes, undrained
• 1 c dried, Sweet Cherries, roughly chopped
• 4 Cloves Garlic, minced
• 1 Red Bell Pepper, diced
• 1 Yellow Onion, diced
• 4 c Vegetable Broth
• 1 T Cumin
• 1 T Chili Powder
• 1 T Tepin Chili Powder (Recipe Below)
• Pinch of Salt

In a saucepan, heat 2 cups of broth to a boil. In a heat-safe container, soak dried cherries in heated broth. Set soaking cherries aside while you prepare the Garlic, Red Bell Pepper and Onion.

In a large pot, add beans, tomatoes, garlic, red bell pepper, onion and remaining 2 cups of broth over medium heat. As broth cooks off a bit, add dried cherries in the broth they have been soaking in. Add cumin, chili powder and Tepin chili powder. Reduce heat and let simmer for about 30 minutes.

Allow chili to thicken for about 15 minutes before serving. Garnish with sour cream, Greek yogurt or cheese.

Tepin Chili Powder

Toast 1 T Tepin Chiles in dry pan. Watch carefully so they do not burn. After about 7 minutes, remove from pan and place in heat safe container. Allow to cool and then transfer them to spice grinder or clean coffee grinder. Grind to a fine powder. Save unused chili powder in an airtight container. This was some of the best chili I’ve ever made. The combination of the sweetness from the cherries and the heat from the Tepin Chiles was outstanding. Those little chiles are HOT! Though it’s a quick heat, it definitely encouraged me to slow down and take smaller bites. Soaking the dried cherries is key here for the chili to really take on their flavor. And with three different beans in this chili, there was absolutely no need for an additional protein. Though I hope warmer days are on their way, in the meantime this is a great chili to warm up with!

Please return to Marx Foods to vote for your favorite recipe (hopefully mine!) starting on March 1st! If you know me, it could mean you are one step closer to an unforgettable summer bbq (courtesy of my winnings).

A special thanks to Marx Foods again for sponsoring this challenge and supplying me with fabulous ingredients to create this delicious dish!