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Apparently, I am all about black beans this week.
Didn’t mean to show you two black beans recipes in a row, they just happened. And you know what? I was even thinking about making black bean brownies this week, but I stopped myself because, I don’t know, is that weird? I feel like it’s a little weird so I am kind of skeptical. I mean, can’t I just make my brownies with loads of butter and all the good things that usually go into brownies?
Any thoughts on black bean brownies? I think I am just a bit too much of brownie purest to try them out, but I could be persuaded.
Ok, but let’s talk about serious things. Now that I am in my own place, I am finding the quiet while I cook kind of weird. Well, honestly I haven’t really been alone while cooking, except for on the weekends and even then, I have had workers coming in and out. BUT on the few days that it has been just me, I have been listening to Pandora to break up the quiet (remember I come from a family of nine, plus the “extras”). The thing is I am so tired of hearing the same stuff.
I need music suggestions. Currently I am listening to a lot of Taylor Swift Radio and umm, it is just so not doing it for me. I mean, I love T-swift, but I like a little variety, and when you are in the kitchen cooking for more than six or even eight hours, even Taylor can get old. And since I really haven’t had time to keep up with all the new music out there, I totally need some help. I thought of asking my brothers, but then swayed away from that in fear of what they might suggest. I mean, it could possibly good, but it could also be really bad. You never know with them.
So what do you guys like? I’m pretty open to everything… just not rap. I really cannot handle rap.
Also, music is like a million and one times better than screaming little girls. Just sayin.
Double also, chili loaded with beans and lentils is totally my new favorite! Who knew a vegetarian chili could pack in so much flavor and texture? Not my meat-eating brothers, that is for sure. And yes, they never even tried this. Losers I tell ya… with the exception of Brendan, because he will eat anything. Gotta love having him around!
Anyway, I made this spicy black bean and lentil chili last week while all of my family was still here because I knew that my cousins would eat a bean filled chili. I am not sure who actually had a chance to try it though since we had so many people and so much food in one house at one time. But people did try it and the reviews were good, and um hello, I clearly thought it was awesome.
I added some super fun toppings to mine, but if you are short on time, the chili is delicious solely on its own.
If you do have the time though, I highly recommend making the fries and most definitely the guacamole. It’s the perfect chili topper. Especially if you use the fries to sort of scoop up the chili and then get a little guac on there too. So flippin delicious and totally cold weather appropriate too!
Ok, so what else? The chili is super easy to make and there is a good chance that you’ll have all the ingredients on hand. It’s mostly just some spices, tomatoes, a little broth, lentils and black beans. I always have these foods in my panty, but I’m not sure if this is standard for most, since I try to keep a pretty well stocked pantry. While, I try, but it seems I am ALWAYS out of whatever I need and either running to the store or sending a family member…which may not be happing all that much anymore since I am now out of the family house.
Oh no.
Seriously though, don’t let anything scare you off from this recipe. If you’re short on time, simply make the chili. If you do have some time though, make the fun toppings too. Either way it’s a beyond delicious, cozy winter meal!
OH and extra healthy too! Yahoo!!
Spicy Black Bean and Lentil Chili with Cotija Guacamole + Chipotle Sweet Potato Fries.
Ingredients
Chili
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 sweet onion, diced
- 2 carrots, chopped
- 4 cloves garlic, minced or grated
- 3 tablespoons chili powder
- 1 tablespoon smoked paprika
- 2 teaspoons cumin
- 1 teaspoon cayenne, or more or less to your taste
- 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
- 4-5 cups veggie broth
- 2 cups green lentils
- 3 cups cooked black beans, drained and rinsed if using canned
- 1 (28 ounce) jar spicy marinara sauce
- 2 (6 ounce) cans tomato paste
- 1 1/2 teaspoons worcestershire sauce (optional, not vegan friendly)
- sharp cheddar cheese for topping
Chipotle Sweet Potato Fries
- 2 large sweet potatoes, cut into 1/4 inch wide strips
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 clove garlic, grated
- 2 teaspoons chipotle chili powder
- salt and pepper, to taste
Cotija Guacamole (optional)
- 2 ripe avocados, peeled + pitted
- 1 jalapeno, seeded + chopped
- the juice of 1 lime
- pinch of cumin
- 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
- 1/3 cup crumbled Cotija cheese, may sub feta cheese
- salt, to taste
Instructions
- In a large heavy pot over medium high heat, add the olive oil, then the onion and carrots. Cook until the onions have softened, about 10 minutes. Add the garlic and continue to cook for about another minute. Add the chili powder, paprika, cumin, cayenne and salt. Cook for about two more minutes or until everything is fragrant.
- Add the veggie broth (starting with 4 cups), spicy marinara sauce, tomato paste and Worcestershire sauce. Stir in the lentils. Crank up the heat to high, bringing the broth to a boil. Once it boils, reduce the heat to medium low, cover and simmer for about 20-30 minutes or until the lentils are tender.
- Add the black beans and cook for about 20 more minutes. Add the extra cup of broth, if needed to thin.
- While the chili is cooking, make the fries (if making). Preheat oven to 425 degrees F.
- Place cut potatoes in a large bowl and drizzle with oil. Add the garlic, chipotle chili powder, salt and pepper. Gently toss with your hands or two spatulas to evenly coat. Spread the fries among two baking sheets in one even layer. Bake for 15-20 minutes, then flip and bake for 15-20 minutes more at 400 degrees F. You want the sweet potatoes to be crispy, but not burnt.
- To make the guacamole, mash the avocados in a medium size bowl (I left mine pretty chunky, but go as chunky or as smooth as you like). Add the cilantro, jalapeño, lime juice, cumin, salt and pepper. Stir to combine and fold in the cotija cheese.
- Serve the soup in bowls topped with guacamole, sweet potato fries and cheddar cheese.
Nutrition
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
Did you make this recipe? Please rate & comment below.
Now pass the spoons please!
Little dragon! Great indie band always puts me in a good mood!
Thanks for the suggestion!
Great warm-me-up, I love any bean/lentil combination. I would say no to black bean brownies though 🙂
Thanks Suzy
Sounds like nice and filling meal to me. All three of them sounds awesome!
Thank you so much!
Try WWOZ in New Orleans–you can get it over the net–very eclectic.
Thanks!! Have have so many to look up now! 🙂
listening to madredeus, anthologia playlist, it’s magic
Thanks so much! I will look them up! 🙂
In regard to music, I ALWAYS listen to music while I am cooking. It is one of my favorite things in life. I always listen to Christian music, and I find that it helps me feel closer to God. Some artists to consider are Meredith Andrews, For King and Country, Casting Crowns, and Plumb. They are really awesome!
Thanks for the suggestions!! 🙂
Here’s some upbeat suggestions to listen to while cooking: The Wild Feathers, Wolf Alice, Best Coast, HAIM, Summer Camp.
It would be fun to post a cooking play list. Definitely want to try this chili-it looks fantastic and is perfect for my resolution to eat more high-protein vegetarian meals this year!
I love upbeat, can’t wait to try these!
Great Idea on the playlist…have to come up with on first! 🙂
I am going to MAKE time this weekend to get this deliciousness in my belly. Chipotle + guac + fries + chili FTW!
YEAH! Hope you love it!! Also, I think I may do that same with those cookies you posted today! YUM!
I love listening to alternative on Pandora, also pure pop, although I pick and choose with that one. Love the sound of this recipe, when exactly do you add the lentils?
Thanks Cassandra! Add the lentils with the broth and tomato sauce. Sorry I left that out, fixing the recipe now.
Ah, this looks so, so good! I’ve been trying to eat less meat lately so this seems like a perfect hearty meatless dinner option. Also, the sweet potato fries served with the chili sound great – I’m all about the sweet and spicy!
Thank you, Alexa! Hope you love this!
This sounds SO good! I love when you post vegetarian recipes 🙂
Thank you!
This is so my kind of chili and I bet it’s amazing with sweet potato fries! Sorry, I don’t have any music suggestions because I have been having the same problem. There is this big gap in life every year right after the holidays when Christmas music is no longer acceptable to listen to.
Oh, and you should totally make black bean brownies thay are so good! Totally not weird at all.
HAHA! This totally sounds like me! 🙂
Hi Tieghan, Happy New Year! On the music front I ditto The Black Keys. I also having listening a lot to Calexico, especially their Carried to Dust album. Arctic Monkeys always make my day as well. Then there’s Ed Sheeran (love the Thinking Out Loud video). Jake Bugg is a particular favorite of mine. How about Punch Brothers? The lists go on and on, eh? Have fun putting together your playlist. Cheers, Ardith
THANK YOU! So much good stuff here, can’t wait to try them all out! 🙂
I have a few music suggestions for you! Personally, I love to jam to Girl Talk while I’m cooking, but if I’m ever not in the mood, Regina Spektor Radio is where it’s at. Also, Jonsi Radio. Jonsi is one of the former members of Sigur Ros, which is another totally kick butt band, but a little too relaxing for me. I need to have a faster tempo to cook to 🙂
Hope this helps!
I like a fast song too, so I cannot wait to look up your suggestions. THANKS!
Yum! Will definitely be trying this chili.
I like to watch tv shows on my laptop while I cook! Nothing super involved that you have to pay tons of attention to, but sitcoms. There are so many out there and I never get bored since I’m not watching the same ones!
Maybe give it a shot? If it’s something light you don’t have to worry about watching the screen all the time.
Otherwise I like Spotify for giving me music suggestions based on other things I listen to.
Pretty sure I could never do tv shows, I would have to pay attention. LOL!
Thanks so much, Mel!