Fiery Squash Chili Food

BUTTERNUT SQUASH CHILI

Steps:

• Heat the olive oil in a large soup pot over medium heat, 1 minute. Add the bell pepper and onion and cook, stirring occasionally, until the onion is soft, about 5 minutes.
• Stir in the garlic and cook until fragrant, about 1 more minute. Pour in the wine and let bubble 1 minute, stirring and scraping any browned bits from the bottom of the pot.
• Add the butternut squash, beans, tomatoes and their juice, salsa, 1 cup water, the chili powder, cumin, cocoa, cinnamon and cayenne, if using. Bring the chili to a simmer, then reduce the heat to medium low and cook, stirring occasionally, until the squash is tender and the chili begins to thicken, about 1 hour. (If the soup looks too thick while cooking, add up to 1 cup more water.) Serve topped with a dollop of Greek yogurt and some avocado cubes.
• Cook's Note: If you're using dried beans, soak in water overnight, then simmer until just tender, 1 to 1 1/2 hours (or cook 4 to 5 hours in a slow cooker on high).

BEEF AND SUMMER SQUASH CHILI

Steps:

• Heat the olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and cook, breaking up the meat, until browned, about 3 minutes. Add the onion, poblano and garlic; cook, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are tender and lightly browned, about 5 minutes. Stir in the chili powder, cumin, 1 teaspoon salt and a few grinds of pepper. Cook, stirring, until combined, about 1 minute.
• Add the tomatoes and the beans and their liquid to the pot; bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to medium and simmer until the liquid is slightly reduced, about 5 minutes.
• Stir the squash into the pot. Partially cover and cook, stirring occasionally, until the squash is tender and the chili thickens slightly, about 10 minutes (add up to ½ cup water if the chili is too thick). Season with salt. Top each serving of chili with the avocado and some cilantro.

SQUASH-BLACK BEAN CHILI

Steps:

• Heat the olive oil in a large Dutch oven or pot over medium-high heat. Add the onion and bell peppers, season with salt and cook, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are tender and lightly browned, about 10 minutes. Add the garlic and cook 1 minute. Add the chile powders, cumin, coriander, oregano and tomato paste. Cook, stirring, until the vegetables are coated in the spice mixture, about 2 minutes, adding a splash of water if the mixture is dry.
• Add 2 cups water, the tomatoes, beans, bay leaves and 1 teaspoon salt to the pot. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to a simmer and stir in the squash and rutabaga. Partially cover and cook, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are tender and the chili is slightly thickened, 30 to 40 minutes. (Add up to 1/2 cup water if the chili gets too thick.) Remove the bay leaves and season with salt. Serve with assorted toppings and cornbread.

BEEFY BUTTERNUT SQUASH CHILI

Steps:

• Make the seasoning blend: In a small bowl, combine the cumin, chili powder, pumpkin pie spice, oregano, salt and a few grinds of black pepper. Set aside.
• Sear the beef: Heat the olive oil in a large pot over high heat until it begins to swirl. Add the beef cubes and sprinkle with half of the seasoning blend. Cook, stirring intermittently, until the beef is browned on all sides but not cooked through, about 5 minutes. Remove the beef chunks with a slotted spoon and set on a plate
• Build the flavor: Reduce the heat to medium and add the onions, bell pepper, garlic, tomato paste and hot sauce. Cook, stirring, until everything turns dark reddish brown, about 10 minutes.
• Complete the chili: Add the ground beef and sprinkle with the remaining half of the seasoning blend. Cook, stirring, until the beef is browned, then add the reserved beef chunks back to the pot along with the cornmeal, stock, wine and squash. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer and cook until the chili is thick and the liquid reduced, 40 to 50 minutes. Taste and season with another pinch of salt if needed, but the seasoning blend you've made should have this tasting perfect for you. If using cinnamon, add the stick 20 minutes before the chili is done, then remove before serving. Serve warm.

FIERY TEXAS CHILI

Steps:

• In large skillet braise meat in 1/4 cup oil till browned. Transfer to slow cooker or large pot leaving liquid in skillet.
• Add water and tomato sauce to meat, cook over low heat.
• Saute onion, green pepper and garlic in remaining oil and liquid in skillet.
• Add remaining dry ingredients and jalapeno peppers with seeds removed.
• Simmer about 30 minutes then transfer to kettle or slow cooker. Cooker on low about 2 hours. Dip off grease that forms on top.