Vegetarian chocolate chili

Vegetarian Chocolate Chili

PREP: 15 minutes

COOK: 6 hours

SERVINGS: 8

Photo credit: Vegan Huggs

Ingredients.

• 1 small sweet potato, chopped into 1/2-inch cubes

• 2 cups kale, chopped and stems removed

• 1 medium yellow onion, diced

• 2 medium carrots, diced

• 2 celery stalks, diced

• 3 garlic cloves minced

• 3 tbsp tomato paste

• 1 (14.5 oz) can stewed tomatoes

• 1 (15 oz) can black beans, drained and rinsed

• 1 (15 oz) can kidney beans, drained and rinsed

• 1 cup vegetable broth

• 1 tbsp chili powder

• 1 tsp ground cumin

• 1 tsp dried oregano

• 1 tsp ground cinnamon

• 2 tbsp cacao powder

• 2 tbsp olive oil or avocado oil

• 1/2 lime, freshly squeezed

• 2 green onions, thinly sliced (optional)

• sour cream (optional)

• salt and pepper

Instructions.

1. In a medium plan, add olive oil and saute carrots, onions, and celery until onion is translucent. Add salt and pepper. Add tomato paste and spices (chili, cumin, oregano, cinnamon). Cook for 1-2 minutes until fragrant. Transfer sauteed mixture to slow cooker.

2. Add broth, garlic, sweet tomatoes, stewed tomatoes and beans to slow cooker. Cook on low heat for 6-8 hours (or high heat for 4-6 hours).

3. With 30 minutes left, add kale and cacao to slow cooker. Turn off the heat and add fresh lime juice.

4. Garnish chili with green onions and sour cream, if desired.

Meal-prep notes.

This recipe is freezer-friendly. Store in the freezer for up to 3 months.

To reheat from frozen leftovers, transfer the chili to the refrigerator the night before serving. Heat in the microwave on medium heat for 1.5-2 minutes.

Nutrition facts for babies.

Beans are rich in fiber, carbohydrates, protein, and omega-3 fatty acids. They contain iron and zinc, two essential nutrients for babies.

Sweet potatoes contain vitamin A (healthy eyesight, skin, and immune health) and vitamin B (brain development), and fiber (gut health).

Carrots contain fiber, vitamin B6 (growth and development), and caretenoids which convert to vitamin A.

Celery contain vitamin K (healthy blood), caretonoids, and antioxidants (immune benefits).

For moms: This chili is packed with essential nutrients moms need for pregnancy and postpartum recovery—including protein (promotes fetal growth as well as tissue repair, immune response, healing, and mood regulation for mom), and B vitamins (reduces the risk of neural tube defects).

Source: Solid Starts

Kitchen tools.

• Slow cooker

• Souper cubes

Adapted from.

Healthier Together cookbook by Liz Moody: Slow-Cooker Short Rib Chocolate Chili