Home ยป 5th Annual Chili Contest: Entry #3 – Vegetarian Quinoa Chili + Weekly Menu

5th Annual Chili Contest: Entry #3 – Vegetarian Quinoa Chili + Weekly Menu

 

Vegetarian Quinoa Chili 1

Friday was my last day of work for THIRTEEN weeks. I know this will fly by once Shea arrives, but for now, that just seems like…forever.

I love my job and all of my staff and coworkers and walking to my car at the end of the day was this weird sense of not having closure. I was sad. I really have no idea how to describe it. Truth is, I am incapable of stepping away completely. I have my work laptop at home and it is all too ready to go. I told my coworker and friend in IT that if I’m working too much, I may have him disconnect my access from home. It’s important that I step away and learn to just…let…it…go.

Vegetarian Quinoa Chili 2

So I took off 12 weeks starting NEXT Monday, October 6th and this coming week is all PTO that I took for mental health/laziness/baby prep. Truth be told, at 38 weeks pregnant, just getting ready in the morning was an event. I was whipped by the time I got in the car most mornings. Do you know how hard it is to put on nylons (very formal work dress code) when you can hardly see your feet, much less get to them? Woof. My feet were exploding from my work shoes, quite literally. It was time to hang up the suits and heels and have a few days of make-up free boxer-wearing comfort.

Speaking of feet (so appropriate to transition to food here just as soon as I quit rambling, I know!)…I am going to try to do the things mamas have encouraged me to do pre-baby…like get a pedicure, read a book, and nap as much as humanly possible. Friday’s induction or Shea’s arrival before then will be here sooner than it seems, I know.

Mr. P and I have been soaking in the last bit of our DINK (double income, no kids) lifestyle.

Vegetarian Quinoa Chili 3

Mr. Prevention jet skiied today (crazy man). And ran lots of errands.

I watched about 10 hours of football and that is no exaggeration.

I cooked and cleaned and held down every couch and bed in the house for at least a little while. The hammock, too. Flat Out Love was a really cute, fun read, by the way.

And of course, I made chili.

The chili contest marches on in delicious fashion with this vegetarian (and vegan, and gluten-free) quinoa chili. The flavors were absolutely wonderful and it was simple to make. I love the staple ingredients and the leftovers were perfect for my dinner boycotts as of late. ENJOY…I know you will!

Vegetarian Quinoa Chili 4

4.5 from 2 reviews
Vegetarian Quinoa Chili
Prep time: 
Cook time: 
Total time: 
Serves: 8 servings (about 1⅓ cup each)
 
Ingredients
Chili:
  • 1 cup dry quinoa, rinsed well
  • 1 Tbsp olive oil
  • 3 garlic cloves, minced
  • 2 yellow onions, diced
  • 1 (28 oz) can crushed tomatoes
  • 1 (15 oz) can no salt added tomato sauce
  • 1ยฝ Tbsp chili powder
  • 2 tsp cumin
  • 1 tsp sugar
  • ยฝ tsp cayenne pepper
  • 1 cup water
  • ¼ tsp salt and black pepper, to taste
  • 1 (15 oz) can black beans, drained and rinsed
  • 1 (15 oz) can kidney beans, drained and rinsed
  • 1ยฝ cups frozen corn
  • juice of one lime
Instructions
  1. Prepare quinoa according to package directions.
  2. Meanwhile, in a large pot or dutch oven heat olive oil over medium-high heat. Add onion and stir; cook 5-7 minutes or until translucent and softened. Add garlic and saute until fragrant, 30 seconds.
  3. Add in crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, chili powder, cumin, sugar, cayenne, water, and quinoa and stir well to combine. Season with salt and pepper. Reduce heat to low and simmer 30 minutes.
  4. Add in beans, corn, and lime juice; simmer an additional 5 minutes.
Notes
Recipe submitted by Kim of Feed Me Seymour
Nutrition Information
Serving size: 1⅓ cup Calories: 300 Fat: 4.4 Carbohydrates: 55.3 Sugar: 13.3 Sodium: 594 Fiber: 12.0 Protein: 13.4 Cholesterol: 0

A somewhat pathetic weekly menu as I’m not quite sure if we’ll be home or off having a baby!

 Weekly Menu: September 28th – October 2nd

6 days or less until I’m a mommy!! Eeeeeeeeeeeep!

Be well,

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11 Comments

  1. Gail Harries
    September 28, 2014 / 8:03 am

    Nicole, I’m away on a business trip all week and I didn’t want to miss The Big Event! So I’m gonna wish you well now, and congrats to you all on your beautiful princess’s birth ๐Ÿ™‚

    • Nicole Morrissey
      Author
      September 28, 2014 / 4:28 pm

      Thank you, Gail! Keep an eye out for pictures next week ๐Ÿ˜‰ Safe travels!

  2. Cindy Gay
    September 28, 2014 / 7:50 pm

    Beautiful pictures and recipe.

  3. Samantha Terry
    September 28, 2014 / 11:53 pm

    The picture of the chili brought me to this post, but as usual I’m looking for the announcement, 6 days is SO close! It really could be anytime now couldn’t it?!?! How exciting! (little jump for joy) Can’t wait to see pics of your little darling, and the newest addition to the prevention family ๐Ÿ˜€

    • Nicole Morrissey
      Author
      September 29, 2014 / 7:55 am

      Yes, we are on baby watch Samantha! I just cannnnot wait to meet her. ๐Ÿ™‚ ๐Ÿ™‚ Thanks tons!

  4. Biz
    September 28, 2014 / 11:54 pm

    Eek! In the final stretch! Just take advantage of all the couch time you can get now – it will be a think of the past shortly! Hugs!

    • Nicole Morrissey
      Author
      September 29, 2014 / 7:56 am

      I know, I need to remember that! I’m already planning what all I’m going to do today…tisk tisk, Nicole! ๐Ÿ™‚ xo, Biz!

  5. Alisha
    September 29, 2014 / 9:23 pm

    I was browsing your page last night ( I check to see what’s new and exciting most days ๐Ÿ™‚ ) and when I saw this it was almost an instant hmmm.. that looks simple enough. And it was. Tasty and pretty filling too. Thanks for posting it and thanks to Feed Me Seymour for submitting it.

    • Nicole Morrissey
      Author
      September 29, 2014 / 10:24 pm

      Glad you enjoyed it, Alisha!

  6. Erin @ The Spiffy Cookie
    October 2, 2014 / 1:49 pm

    I am actually doing a chili cookoff with some friends next week. I’m trying to decide if I should make my tried and true recipe or try something new. Like the idea of using quinoa!

  7. Thalia @ butter and brioche
    October 5, 2014 / 8:42 pm

    This is just the perfect recipe for me to recreate for my vegetarian family. Thanks for sharing it Nicole!

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