SERVES 6 TO 8 · GF, VEGAN ADAPTABLE, DF ADAPTABLE
I absolutely love chili, especially when the weather is cool and there’s a good football game on TV. I am definitely more partial to vegetable chilis and ones that are as much beans as they are meat, like this one. Sweet potatoes, which are one of my favorite foods and so incredibly nutrient-dense, add subtle body to this chili. Chipotles are technically smoked, dried jalapeño peppers; they have an intense smoky flavor—and can pack some heat. This recipe is about a 5 on a 1–10 heat scale. Adding avocado, or yogurt or sour cream (omit for DF), will definitely tone down the heat.
2 tablespoons unrefined, cold-pressed extra-virgin olive oil
1 pound ground dark turkey meat (not vegan) or crumbled plain tempeh
1 medium-size onion, diced
1 jalapeño pepper, diced
4 garlic cloves, minced
1 tablespoon chili powder
2 teaspoons ground cumin
½ teaspoon chipotle chile powder
Pinch of ground cloves
2 teaspoons sea salt
Freshly ground black pepper
14 to 15 ounces diced tomatoes and their juice
3 cups cooked pinto beans, or 2 (15-ounce) cans, drained and rinsed (or use 1 can kidney beans and 1 can pinto)
2 small sweet potatoes (about 1 pound), peeled and shredded (about 4 cups)
Topping suggestions: diced avocado, fresh cilantro, Greek yogurt or sour cream (omit for DF), GF/DF tortilla chips
1. Heat the oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the turkey meat and brown, breaking up the meat with a wooden spoon. When just cooked through, remove from the pan, using a slotted spoon, and set aside. If the pot looks dry, add more oil.
2. Add the onion, jalapeño, and garlic and sauté until the onion is tender and translucent, about 6 minutes.
3. Add the spices, salt, and pepper to taste and stir until fragrant, about 1 minute.
4. Add the tomatoes and their juice and cook for another minute or two.
5. Add the turkey meat back to the pot, along with the beans, sweet potatoes, and 2½ cups of water. Bring to a boil, lower the heat to a simmer, and cover. Cook until the sweet potatoes are tender and everything is nice and thick, about 1 hour.
6. Taste for salt and pepper. Serve with your desired toppings.
7. To freeze, follow the instructions here for freezing stock.
ASK PAMELA: How can I adjust a recipe that contains chiles if my family doesn’t like spicy food? Heat can easily be adjusted in a recipe. You can leave out such ingredients as cayenne or hot sauce. If a recipe calls for chipotle chile powder, you can substitute an equal amount of smoked paprika, which is ground, smoked, and dried bell pepper. Crushed red pepper flakes don’t add that much heat in small quantities.
TIP: Believe it or not, chiles are actually loaded with antioxidants and antibacterial properties and can give a boost to your metabolism.