In case you haven’t heard…it’s pumpkin season and I for one am not the biggest fan of this very popular “pumpkin season.” For me the beginning of Fall also means shorter days, trading in my flip flops for boots and my tank tops for hoodies. It also means no more stone fruit, berries and watermelon which is truly what makes me mourn this time of year. *SIGH*
But I get it – any kind of change can be exhilarating and fun and I would be lying to you if I told you that I didn’t love the occasional pumpkin loaf in front of a big roaring fire so I have been working on embracing fall and using the shorter days to relax and allow myself to go to bed earlier so I can squeeze in an extra chapter in before I crash for the day and eat this Smoky Pumpkin Chili.
And let’s be honest…Fall in San Diego is a pretty magical time of year. There aren’t any orange and yellow leaves but I am currently typing this in a tank top and I think the high today is going to be 80º. So who am I to really complain.
So, today I give you a smoky pumpkin chili. Sounds kinda weird but also intriguing right?! I created this recipe for the DIY Cleanse (which you should check out, BTW). We wanted a recipe that was filling, easy to make and met the guidelines of our cleanse (so no dairy, soy, wheat, or sugar) and I think it’s safe to say that I nailed it.
I believe that every ingredient matters and serve a purpose in our bodies so I thought I would give you a quick list of why the ingredients in this Smoky Pumpkin Chili are cleanse worthy:
- Adzuki Beans: The most digestible bean out there which means all the great protein benefits without any of the gassy side effects.
- Pumpkin: Not only does the pumpkin give the chili a really great flavor profile but it is packed with fiber and good complex carbohydrates. The fiber helps pull junk out of our systems and the good carbs keep us full and energized which is extra important when you are cleansing
- Smoked Paprika and Jalapeño: These smoky and fiery additions also aid in digestion and act an antioxidant. Chilies also have something called Capsaicin which is very good for inflammation.
- Parsley: This herb has great anti-oxidant properties to it, stimulates the bowels and supports the kidneys…plus it freshens breath 😉
So you can see why we created this recipe for the cleanse. When are bodies are focused on detoxing and eliminating free radicals we need all the help we can get from the foods we eat. This is what functional nutrition is all about.
You can also experiment. Don’t like beans? Use ground turkey or grass-fed beef instead. Not feelin’ the pumpkin? Try canned sweet potato. Don’t have smoked paprika or jalapeño? Use a little canned chipotle chiles in sauce.
This might go without saying but you can make a big batch of this and freeze half of it for another week. I love doing that.
Ready for the recipe finally? Ok, here she is:
Smoky Pumpkin Chili
Cook time: 45 minutes. Serves 4.
Download Smoky Pumpkin Chili Recipe Here.
1 tablespoon ghee or avocado oil
1 medium white onion, chopped
4 cloves of garlic, minced
3 teaspoons chili powder
2 tablespoons smoked paprika
1 teaspoon oregano
1 jalapeño, minced
1 cup vegetable or bone broth
1 15oz can of pumpkin puree
2 15oz cans of adzuki beans, drained and rinsed
1 28oz can of fire roasted tomatoes
Small handful of parsley or cilantro, chopped
2 green onions, thinly sliced
Salt and pepper to taste
In a medium saucepan, heat the oil over medium heat. Add the onion and sauté until translucent, 3-5 minutes. Add the garlic, jalapeño, and spices and cook for a minute until fragrant. Add the broth, pumpkin, tomatoes, and beans. Simmer for 30 – 45 minutes to let the flavors meld.
Top with chopped parsley and green onions.
Enjoy!
