Hey everyone! If you’re looking for a delicious, hearty dish that’s packed with goodness and perfect for those cooler days, this Veggie Chilli is just what you need! Full of tasty veggies, beans, and a bit of spice, it’s easy to make and sure to leave you feeling warm and satisfied. Plus, it’s a great way to sneak in some healthy ingredients while still enjoying comfort food. Let’s dive right into this recipe!
Method
Roast the Sweet Potatoes
Start by prepping the sweet potatoes. First, peel and chop them into small cubes for even roasting. Drizzle 1/2 tablespoon of olive oil over the cubes and sprinkle some of the cumin, cayenne pepper, and cinnamon on top. Don’t forget to season with salt and pepper. This will give the sweet potatoes a flavorful kick! Spread the sweet potato cubes out evenly on a baking tray to ensure they roast evenly. Then, pop them in the oven and roast at 200°C for about 50 minutes. Check on them halfway through and give them a stir to make sure they’re cooking evenly. The sweet potatoes should be soft and slightly caramelised by the end of this time.
Cook the Vegetables
While the sweet potatoes are roasting, heat a tablespoon of olive oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add the sliced onion and chopped peppers to the pan. Cook them for around 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until they soften and become fragrant. Once the vegetables are tender, add the crushed garlic and the remaining spices cumin, cayenne pepper, and cinnamon. Stir everything together for about 2 minutes, allowing the garlic to soften and the spices to release their flavors. This step is important as it infuses the base of the chilli with all the aromatic spices.
Add the Beans and Tomatoes
Now it’s time to add the heartiness to your chilli. Stir in the two tins of drained and rinsed beans along with the two tins of tomatoes. Make sure to add up to half a can of water from the tomato cans to loosen the mixture and help it cook better. Stir everything together, then bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat. Once it starts boiling, reduce the heat to low and let it simmer. Let it cook for about 25-30 minutes, stirring occasionally. During this time, the flavors will meld together, and the sauce will thicken.
Simmer the Chilli
After the mixture has come to a boil, lower the heat and let it simmer gently for 25-30 minutes. Stir the chilli occasionally to prevent it from sticking to the bottom of the pan. If you find that the mixture thickens too much during simmering, simply add a bit more water or even vegetable broth to keep the consistency nice and soupy. This step ensures that all the flavors continue to develop and that the chilli stays hearty but not too dry.
Mix in the Sweet Potatoes
Once your sweet potatoes have finished roasting and are golden and soft, take them out of the oven. Carefully add the roasted sweet potato cubes into the simmering chilli. Stir them in gently to mix them with the beans, tomatoes, and spices. At this point, add a small handful of chopped coriander and squeeze a bit of lime juice over the top. Stir again to combine everything, allowing the fresh coriander and lime to brighten up the dish. Let it simmer for another 5 minutes so the sweet potatoes can absorb some of the chili’s flavor. Then, serve up your hearty, flavorful veggie chilli and enjoy the warmth!
Necessary Tools
- Oven-safe baking dish or tray
- Large saucepan or pot
- Knife and chopping board
- Spoon for stirring
- Measuring spoons
- Can opener for the tins
- Baking tray for roasting sweet potatoes
Veggie Chilli: A Hearty, Flavorful Delight!
Cuisine: AmericanDifficulty: Easy4
servings15
minutes1
hour20
minutes1
hour35
minutesIngredients
1 tbsp olive oil
1 onion, sliced
2 garlic cloves, crushed
2 peppers, chopped
500g sweet potato
2 tins of beans (I used 1 mixed and 1 kidney), drained and rinsed
2 tins of tomatoes
1.5 tsp cumin
1 tsp cayenne pepper
1 tsp cinnamon
Small handful of chopped coriander
Squeeze of lime juice
Directions
- Roast the Sweet Potatoes. Start by chopping the sweet potatoes into small cubes. Drizzle with 1/2 tbsp olive oil, sprinkle with some of the cumin, cayenne pepper, and cinnamon, and add salt and pepper. Pop them on a baking tray and roast at 200°C for 50 minutes.
- Cook the Vegetables. While the sweet potatoes are roasting, heat some olive oil in a large saucepan. Add the sliced onion and chopped peppers, and cook until they soften. Once they’re soft, stir in the crushed garlic and the remaining spices. Let it cook for a couple more minutes so the flavors can blend together.
- Add the Beans and Tomatoes. Now it’s time to add the beans and the tinned tomatoes. Pour in half a can of water to loosen things up. Stir it all together and bring to a boil.
- Simmer Reduce the heat and let the mixture simmer for about 25-30 minutes. If it thickens too much, just add a little more water to keep the consistency perfect.
- Mix in the Sweet Potatoes. Once the sweet potatoes are roasted, toss them into the saucepan along with some chopped coriander and a squeeze of lime juice. Stir it all together and serve up that deliciousness!
Notes
- When roasting the sweet potatoes, make sure they are evenly spread on the tray for even cooking. If they overlap too much, they may not roast as well.
- Stir the chilli regularly while it’s simmering to avoid sticking to the bottom of the pan.
- Add the water slowly so you don’t end up with too thin of a consistency. You can always add more if needed!
Serving Suggestions
Serve your veggie chilli with a side of microwaveable rice, tortilla chips, or a warm piece of crusty bread. You can also top it off with some sour cream, shredded cheese, or avocado for extra flavor. This is a great meal to enjoy with friends or family, and it’s perfect for leftovers the next day!
Fun Fact
Did you know that sweet potatoes are rich in vitamin A and can help support your immune system? They also add a natural sweetness to this chilli, balancing out the spice!
Conclusion
This veggie chilli is the perfect dish for anyone looking for a healthy, filling meal that’s full of flavor. It’s easy to make, packed with nutrients, and sure to warm you up on a chilly day. Whether you’re making it for yourself or sharing with others, this is a recipe you’ll want to keep on hand. Enjoy every bite!
