Yield: Serves 10-12     Prep Time: 10 minutes     Cook Time: 45 minutes    Total Time: 55 minutes

:: INGREDIENTS ::

1/2 cup quinoa, rinsed

1 cup water

1 tablespoon olive oil

1 small onion, chopped

3 cloves garlic, minced

1 jalapeno pepper, diced

1 large carrot, peeled and chopped

2 celery stalks, chopped

1 green bell pepper, chopped

1 red bell pepper, chopped

1 medium zucchini, chopped

2 (15 ounce) cans black beans, drained and rinsed

1 (15 ounce) can red kidney beans, drained and rinsed

3 (15 ounce) cans diced tomatoes

1 (15 ounce) can tomato sauce

2-3 tablespoons chili powder, depending on your taste (we used 3) *I recommend far less!

1 tablespoon ground cumin

Salt and black pepper, to taste

Optional toppings: green onions, avocado slices, cheese, sour cream, Greek yogurt, chips, crackers, etc.

:: DIRECTIONS ::

1. In a medium saucepan, combine the quinoa and water. Cook over medium heat until water is absorbed, about 15 minutes. Set aside.

2. In a large pot, heat the olive oil over high heat. Add the onion and cook until tender, about 5 minutes. Stir in garlic, jalapeño, carrot, celery, peppers, and zucchini. Cook until vegetables are tender, about 10 minutes.

3. Add the black beans, kidney beans, tomatoes, and tomato sauce. Stir in the cooked quinoa. Season with chili powder, cumin, salt, and black pepper. Simmer chili on low for about 30 minutes. Serve warm.

Note: garnish the chili with green onions, avocado slices, cheese, sour cream/Greek yogurt, chips, crackers, if desired. This chili freezes well.

Expert-Chef-Taylor’s-Editor’s-Notes: 

The 2-3 Tablespoons of Chili Powder was WAY too hot for us.  I only did 2, but perhaps we just can’t handle the heat!

 I would recommend to start with 1 TBS or less, perhaps just a few teaspoons, and then you can always add more.  I also was using our fancier chili spices that I had gotten for an Ina Garten Recipe and did not take into account how much more heat came from that than from our regular chili powder.  I think with the chili powder it would have been okay to have more, but just keep in mind that you can always add more not take any out 🙂  

Soooooo learn from my mistake! T

he greek yogurt + avocado cools it down a lot though, so that helps.