Kitchen Therapy: Pantry Clean-Out Pumpkin Chili

Today has been a seriously stressful day! I really thought I wanted to host my own site, because I figured that was the next step in my “blogging career,” but after countless hours on the phone with technical support and ripping out several strands of hair, I talked with Ryan over dinner and decided against it.

I think for people who are looking to have advertisers, and potentially pocket a little cash for their blogging venture, hosting your own site is probably a fantastic idea! But for me, someone who is so not tech savvy, who started blogging as a form of therapy, and now to hopefully help at least someone by posting the ridiculous thoughts that go through my head, and to meet other people that ive read about for years, self-hosting is so not for me (at least right now!). I blog because I love it. Because I love hearing from others about their experiences, and feeling connected to a wide community of people I would not otherwise have access to without the blog world! I love blogging for me, not for companies and ads, so please, forgive me for not being some super big blog with a fancy shmancy theme and plug-ins (which I did not know about until today!). I am just sticking to being me; a pink lover with weird non-cohesive thoughts, my Target digital camera, and amateur writing skills. Hopefully you keep coming back, but I really cant decide to be something I am not because it SEEMED like the right thing to do.

Ok, phew, now that that’s over, onto the way more exciting stuff! Because I was so stressed this afternoon, I decided to do one of my all-time favorite techniques for relaxation!!! COOKING! Does anyone else find it super therapeutic to chop up veggies, and use creativity to make a project you will in a short time get to savor and enjoy? I certainly do, and after reading Courtney’s post last night about PUMPKIN, I was seriously craving some good fall flavor!

So today I decided to check out my pantry and see what we had in store! I was going to photograph my kitchen storage and then decided I would be seriously embarrassed by the array of the shelves right now. With HLS and all that great swag, plus what I bought with all the killer coupons, and work starting, there was not much time or motivation to organize. Perhaps that will be this weekend.

Anyway, the dinner I threw together is something I like to call….

Pantry Clean-Out Pumpkin Chili (inspired by the recipe found on Debbie Does Dinner)

• 10 oz 96/4 Lean Ground Beef
• 1/2 large onion, diced
• 1/2 red pepper, diced
• 1/2 green pepper, diced
• 1/2 small zucchini, furiously chopped
• 1 Tablespoon Fresh Garlic (Chopped in a jar)
• 1 Tablespoon ground cumin
• 1 Tablespoon Chili Powder
• 1 Tablespoon Cayenne Pepper
• Shake of dried oregano
• 2 cubes of beef bouillon dissolved in 2 cups hot water
• ½ can of green enchilada sauce
• 1 can diced tomatoes
• ½ 15.5 oz can garbanzo beans (drained)
• ½ 15.5 oz can black beans (drained)
• 1 cup of Libby’s Canned Pumpkin (whoa, cannot wait for this to be back in stores!!!)
• Salt and Pepper to Taste

Directions:

1. Heat the garlic in a BIG pot and add the meat to brown

2. When meat is browned add all the veggies and spices, letting all the flavors come together

3. Keeping the stove on high, add the canned tomatoes, beef broth, and green enchilada sauce…let it simmer until a boil

4. Add the pumpkin and drained beans, keep on high for a few minutes, then turn to simmer and keep it there for as many hours as you can stand (Mine only sat for about 3 and it turned out pretty darn delicious!)

*feel free to throw in some extra red pepper along with the S&P to taste. I do like my things a little hot!

Ryan and I poured the chili overtop of greens and topped with a spoonful of Plain Oikos (AWESOME substitute for sour cream and totally gives an extra protein punch!) and served up some Corazona’s Black Bean and Cheese Tortilla Chips on the side.

It has been kind of rainy and gray here today so it was the perfect evening to have a comforting hot meal. Not to mention fall is my ABSOLUTE favorite season and I welcome pumpkin with open arms. I cant wait to make Courtney’s Pumpkin Raisin Bread (fortunately I had a huge can left over from last year so I have juuuust enough to whip those out this weekend!)

I hope you guys have a wonderful evening! Stay safe all those who are in Irene’s path! You all are in my thoughts and prayers!