Here is a recipe served at our last retreat that seemed to be quite popular by virtue of its request to be posted.

Smoky Chipotle Black Bean Chili with Roasted Butternut Squash over Rice Pilaf

from The Fresh and Green Table by Susie Middleton

Serves 6

For serving

6 cups cooked white rice
6 oz. crumbled goat cheese, queso fresco, or sour cream (optional)
2/3 cup toasted pepitas (optional)
6 lime wedges (optional)

Make the chili

In a small bowl, combine the ground ancho chile, coriander, cumin, oregano, paprika, brown sugar, cocoa, ground chipotle, cinnamon, cloves, and 1-1/2 tsp. salt. Set aside.

In a liquid measure, whisk together the red wine, tomato paste, finely chopped cilantro stems and leaves, the chopped chipotle, and the adobo. Set aside.

In another large liquid measure or bowl, combine the crushed tomatoes with 3 cups water and stir well.

In a large Dutch oven, heat the butter and olive oil over medium heat. When the butter has melted, add the onions, bell pepper, and 1/2 tsp. salt and stir. Cover and cook, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables have softened, 5 to 7 minutes. Uncover, raise the heat to medium-high, and continue cooking until the onion is lightly browned, another 7 to 8 minutes. Reduce the heat to medium-low, add the garlic and jalapeño, and cook, stirring, until softened and fragrant, about 1 minute.

Add the dried spice mixture and cook, stirring and scraping until well incorporated, 20 to 30 seconds. Add the tomato paste mixture and cook, stirring and scraping it against the sides of the pan, for 1 to 2 minutes.

Add the crushed tomato mixture and cook, stirring and scraping the bottom of the pan, until well combined. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer and cook, loosely covered, stirring occasionally and continuing to scrape the bottom of the pan, for 20 minutes. Keep an eye on the heat and reduce it, if necessary, to maintain a gentle simmer.

Uncover the pot and add the drained beans. Raise the heat to medium-high and return the chili to a simmer and then reduce the heat to medium-low and maintain a gentle simmer. Stir thoroughly and cook, partially covered, for 10 minutes.

Remove the pan from the heat and stir in the 2 Tbs. chopped cilantro. The chili will stay warm, covered, off the heat for a half hour.

Chili with Roasted Winter Vegetables: 

Preheat the oven to 450ºF. Line two large, heavy-duty rimmed baking sheets with parchment. In a large mixing bowl, toss 2 lb. peeled, seeded butternut squash, cut into 1/2-inch dice, with 5 Tbs. olive oil and 1-1/4 tsp. kosher salt until evenly coated (or substitute an equivalent amount or a combination of carrots, parsnips, sweet potatoes, rutabagas, or turnips for the squash). Divide the vegetables evenly between the prepared baking sheets and spread them in a single layer. Roast for 18 minutes. Using a flat spatula, flip some of the veggies over for more even browning. Rotate the baking sheets from front to back and between top and bottom racks and roast until all the veggies are tender and nicely browned in places, about 12 minutes more, for a total of about 30 minutes. Top the chili with the roasted vegetables.

To serve the chili

Spoon 1 cup rice into each of six deep bowls and ladle about 1 cup chili over the rice. Top each serving with a generous spoonful of the roasted veggies. Garnish each serving with your choice of goat cheese, queso fresco, or sour cream and/or cilantro sprigs, toasted pepitas, and lime wedges (if desired).