Butternut Squash Chili

My garden produced a decent amount of butternut squash this year, so I’ve been taking advantage of this opportunity by making soups. This one is a combination of a few I read through. It got rave reviews from my ladies group, so I hope you will enjoy it too!

Ingredients:

• 2 TBSP butter

• 1 medium onion, diced

• 2 cloves garlic, minced

• 1 tsp cumin

• ½ tsp coriander

• 4 cups vegetable or chicken broth

• 2 stalks celery chopped

• 1 bell pepper, diced

• ¼ cup lentils

• 2 cups butternut squash, peeled and diced

• 1 can black beans, rinsed

• 1 can cannellini beans, rinsed

• 1 can (15 oz) tomato sauce

• Salt and pepper to taste

Directions:

1. Heat butter in medium/large pot. Add onion and garlic. Sauté until fragrant and onions are translucent. Add spices and stir.

2. Add remaining ingredients. Stir and simmer 20-25 minutes until squash is tender but not mushy. Adjust spices to your liking.

3. Serve.

Summer Chili

Even though the title of this recipe is summer, our family eats it all year long.  When fresh out-of-the-garden tomatoes are unavailable, I use petite diced canned tomatoes. Consider serving with Cornmeal Cornbread for a gluten-free dinner!

1. Summer Chili

• 2 TBSP extra-virgin olive oil
• 1 cup chopped onion
• 5 large garlic cloves, minced
• 2 TBSP chili powder
• 2 tsp ground cumin
• 2 cups juicy, chopped fresh tomatoes (or canned)
• 1 (15-ounce) can no-salt added black beans, rinsed and drained
• 1 cup water
• 1 cup chopped red or green bell pepper
• 1 cup chopped zucchini
• 1 cup corn kernels
• 1 cup chopped white or portobello mushrooms
• 1 cup chopped fresh cilantro, packed
• 1/8 tsp cayenne pepper
• salt and pepper to taste

Directions:

1. Heat oil in medium pot.
2. Add onion, garlic, chili powder and cumin.
3. Saute over medium heat until onion is soft, about 5 minutes.
4. Add remaining ingredients (except garnishes) and stir.
5. Bring to a boil, then lower heat and simmer 20 minutes or until vegetables are soft.
6. Add more liquid if needed.
7. Serve over rice if desired.
8. May garnish with cheddar cheese, guacamole, or fresh cilantro.