Gina and I signed off the podcast last night, looking at our next recording…not until January 11th! Of course we’ll talk plenty (daily) between now and then, but Gina tends to keep us on track…or running ahead of schedule with our recordings. That’s why she’s the one in charge 😊 Left to my own devices, I tend to be a bit behind on things.
During a “break” at work today, I reviewed the Strength Finders results I got a few years back during a team exercise where we each took the quiz and discussed. If you haven’t heard of Strength Finders from Gallop, I HIGHLY recommend completing it, especially if you’re intrigued or totally geeked by things like Myers Briggs. I, for one, am one of those people.
When I found out my #1 strength was Woo, I was immediately in need of more information. The book goes on to share that people with this strength like to win people over, ENJOY the challenge of meeting new people and getting them to like you, are energized by strangers, are never at a loss for words, derive great satisfaction from breaking the ice and making a connection, and lastly – my favorite – consider that there are no strangers in this world, only friends they haven’t met yet – lots of them. I felt so SEEN!
My other strengths were Communicator (want my information to survive, including writing, speaking, etc), Activator (action is the best device for learning), Maximizer (capitalize on gifts with which they’re blessed), and Empathy (sensing the emotions of others). What I’m getting at here is 1. Do Strength Finders and 2. The blog and podcast are a natural fit and because I’m a Maximizer, I not only understand this, but thrive in living it out.
Strengths I don’t have: Responsibility, Focus, Consistency, Learner, Developer…the list goes on. If you couple this all with my love language (Words of Affirmation), I basically want to do what I’m good at (with lots of people) and be told I’m good at it (if you feed be tacos and tell me I’m pretty in the process, even better). What a simple, simple creature I am!
Know what else I’m good at? Making chili. I can follow a recipe like a champ, even if they include obscure ingredients and raise a bit of an eyebrow…like this recipe. Coming to us from my sister-in-laws out in Seattle, this Sweet and Smoky Pineapple Chipotle Chili was MOST unique! The recipe suggested using it as a dip, and that’s how we enjoyed the leftovers! The result was chili-esque, but this definitely has a unique and untraditional flavor. We were fans, but because they’re family I can give the spoiler alert that it may not be the winner 😉
Sweet and Smoky Pineapple Chipotle Chili
Sweet, smoky, and not your traditional chili! Pineapple lovers, this one is for you!
Ingredients
- 1 Tbsp olive oil
- 1 onion, chopped
- 1 red bell pepper, chopped
- 3-4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 ½ tsp ground cumin
- 3 Tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 (4 oz) can tomato paste
- 3 Tbsp gochujang paste
- 1 lb ground pork
- 1 pineapple, peeled, cored and finely diced
- 1 (15 oz) can navy beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 (28 oz) can diced tomatoes
- 2-3 chipotles in adobo sauce, minced
- 2 Tbsp fish sauce
- 2 Tbsp maple syrup
Instructions
- Heat olive oil in a nonstick pot over medium heat. Once hot, add the onion and bell pepper; sauté for 5 minutes.
- Add the garlic, cumin, cocoa powder, tomato paste and gochujang paste; mix well and cook until fragrant and toasted, about 2-3 minutes.
- Add the pork and cook until no longer pink, breaking up with a wooden spoon into crumbles.
- Once meat is cooked, transfer to a slow cooker. Stir in the diced pineapple, beans, tomatoes, and chipotle peppers; mix and cover with the lid. Cook for 3 hours.
- Stir in the fish sauce and maple syrup. Serve with toppings, as desired.
Notes
Recipe from Pups with Chopsticks, submitted by Michelle and Kelsey
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 8 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 333Total Fat: 8.3gCholesterol: 35mgSodium: 912mgCarbohydrates: 48.1gFiber: 7.0gSugar: 30.8gProtein: 17.8g
Want more chili in your life? Check out these favorites!
- 2015 Winner: Liz’s Chili
- 2019 Winner: Vegan Red Chili
- 2016 Winner: Short Rib Boeuf Bourguignon Chili
- 2018 Winner: Beef, Chorizo, and Bean Taco Chili
Be well,
