Chipotle-Kissed Red Bean and Sweet Potato Chili

I love crockpots. There is nothing that will make you feel like "super mom" more than having supper ready by 10am! Today I tried a new recipe from the cookbook "Fresh from the Vegetarian Slow Cooker" by Robin Robertson. It was super easy and delicious. Yummy vegan corn muffins with honey on the side. It was the perfect meal for a dreary, rainy day.

Chipotle-Kissed Red Bean and Sweet Potato Chili

1 T olive oil
1 medium-sized yellow onion, chopped
1 medium-sized red bell pepper, chopped
1 large garlic clove, minced
1 T chili powder
1 1/2 lbs. sweet potatoes, peeled and diced into 1/2 inch cubes
1 14 oz. can of diced tomatoes (I used 28 oz. because I like tomatoes)
1 15 oz. can of kidney beans, drained and rinsed
1 1/2 cups water
Salt
1 T minced canned chipotle chiles in adobo sauce, or to taste

1. Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the onions, pepper and garlic. Cover. Cook until softened; about 5 minutes. Stir in the chili powder and cook for 30 seconds. Add the sweet potato and stir to coat with the spices.
2. Transfer the mixture to a 4 -6 qt. slow cooker. Add the tomatoes, beans, and water. Season with salt. Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours.
3. When ready to serve, stir the chipotles in to the chili. Taste and adjust seasonings.

I omitted the red peppers and the chipotle chiles and it was still delicious. Whenever I make chili, I always add a little cinnamon and some type of sweetener. Make for a very unique, wonderful taste.

This cookbook looks like one I might want to own someday (it's from the library). It's the first crockpot cookbook I've seen that isn't chock full of pot roast and potato recipes. It doesn't call for dehydrated onions or cream of mushroom soup. Instead, it uses WHOLE FOOD ingredients (what a novel idea!) and has a huge variety of recipes. Appetizers, grains, pasta, breads, desserts...it's all in there. I had no idea a crock pot could make so many wonderful things. I think I'll try the "No Hurry Vegetable Curry" next. Yum!