There has been talk since yesterday of a big, dangerous ice storm heading our way. Yuck! When I spoke with my parents last night, they both said that we should plan on laying low today. When I woke up around 8am, the weather still looked fine, so I decided to head out to the grocery store for some staples before the expected 10am winter mix.
I don’t think I have ever been to the grocery store before 9am. The store was quiet, which was nice, but the pharmacy didn’t open until 10am (which stinks before I needed some allergy meds).
I was home before the BOY even emerged from the bedroom. The weather outside was gray, but warm. If a storm wasn’t heading our way, I might have bundled up for a run. Instead, I put some errands on hold to stay in my warm, comfortable home. I made us some eggs for breakfast and sat down to watch last week’s Biggest Loser. Meanwhile, I got started on moving some files form old computer to my new computer. 2 hours later, there was no wintery mix insight, and I was beginning to feel guilty about sitting on the couch in my jammies all day. My mom called around noon and mentioned that some rain had started by their house. She invited us over to brave the storm with some television and chili. However, I had the same idea here!
The BOY turned on the Indiana basketball game, and I started chopping up veggies for Lentil Chili.
This is a vegetarian recipe from one of my new cookbooks.
I was super excited to try this chili. It has a complex flavor profile, and I even picked up cayenne at the grocery store this morning.
This chili is jam packed with vegetables!
Before you even add in your lentils, beans, tomatoes, and veggie broth. I used only 4 cups of broth due to space limitations in my pot.
If I was going to spend the day, hiding from the rain, I decided to make the most of it. I kept plugging away at my computer getting to know Windows 8 and started a few loads of laundry. I also sat with the BOY cheering on Indiana during a stressful conference game. By the time Indiana secured a victory against Michigan State, my chili was ready for consumption.
And OMG…it is GOOD!
So simple and rich, the chili tasted amazing covered in sweet avocado.
I recommend saving this recipe for your next rainy Sunday (or even Superbowl Sunday)!
The rain never came down as hard as I expected, but a few minutes ago, the BOY looked out the window.
And my car…is covered…in a sheet of ice. Yikes! I will definitely have to thaw it out in order to get to CrossFit tomorrow.
Did you get hit with a winter storm today?
How did you spend your Sunday?
Mine was much lazier than expected, but I am happy to be moved into my new computer!
If you are having a quiet day in (like me), here are three more veggie chili recipes that I love!
Crockpot Lentil and Sweet Potato Soup
And…dinner is already in the crockpot, which means that I will have another easy recipe coming your way. Clue…this one involves homemade peanut butter!
Lentil Chili
From the Forks Over Knives Cookbook
Ingredients
3 yellow onions, chopped
1 1/2 cups celery, chopped
4 carrots, chopped
2 bell peppers (1 red and 1 green), chopped
1-2 garlic cloves, minced 6 cups 4 cups vegetable broth
2 Tbsp chili powder
1 tsp. cumin
1 tsp. paprika
1/2 tsp. ground chipotle powder or smoked paprika
1/2 tsp. cayenne pepper
2 cups red lentils, rinsed
1 (28-oz.) can crushed tomatoes
1 (15-oz.) can kidney beans, rinsed and drained
zest and juice of 1 lime
Directions
In a large soup pot over medium-high heat, sauté onion, celery, carrots, bell pepper, and garlic in 1 cup of the vegetable broth. Stir occasionally and cook until vegetables soften, approximately 5-7 minutes.
Add chili powder, cumin, paprika, ground chipotle powder, and cayenne pepper and cook for an additional minute, stirring well.
Add lentils, crushed tomatoes, kidney beans, and remaining vegetable broth into the soup pot. Cover and bring to a boil. Cover and bring to a boil. Once boiling, reduce heat and simmer until lentils are soft, approximately 45 minutes, stirring occasionally.
*Note: this recipe made 12 cups of chili, which is more than enough to eat, share, and try freezing.
Luv What You Do 
I was out early today, too. I’m a huge fan of not dealing with crowds. 🙂 Such a perfect day for chili!!! I actually have chicken in the crockpot right now . . . I’m craving warm, delicious comfort food. And aren’t lentil amazing? I totally take them for granted, but whenever I make them, I’m reminded how much a Iove lentils! Enjoy the rest of your Sunday!
I am new to lentils…I just started eating them last year, but I have like 5 new recipes I want to try. They are fantastic in chili and soups. I don’t ever do much more with them, but I really should get more creative. Hope you are safe and sound indoors now that the storms are rolling through. We just had the most incredible chicken from our crockpot and I am close to curling up and finishing my book!
That chili look deelish. We never get storms like that in California, but we sure act like we do! I curl up inside if it’s even drizzling out. Haha!
It was that way in Memphis…although they did get some serious ice storms down there. Any excuse to curl up and relax over the weekend is good!
We are still waiting for the ice storm up north! I got my run in early this am, though, just in case. I was thinking chili sounded perfect today too!
We just had a big wave of thunder and lightening go by and my car looks like an icicle. I definitely should have gone for a run this morning…it was a great start to the day. But now I am happy to be tucked in at home. I just wish I had a fireplace!
That chili sounds/looks delicious. I’m definitely gonna try it out. Thanks for posting the recipe!
You are so welcome! I am totally loving the flavors and textures. Even the BOY got his spoon in there for a taste and was happy with the results! Hope you had a great weekend!
I sent the recipe to my husband and he is open to it. So am gonna give it a whirl next weekend. Can I make it in my Dutchoven?
Definitely!!! Just sauté your veggies and then stir in the lentils, broth and beans. Enjoy!
I’ve suddenly got a craving for avocado covered chili. Thanks for the dinner idea!
You are so welcome!
One of the benefits is that it comes together quickly!
Yum!! Yayy for another great chili recipe:)
I know…I love that chili is something so easy to make without meat. You don’t even miss it!
Oh, yum! That chili looks incredible! I love that you put avocado in it – such a great idea!
I thought it was cold today in Florida…but I’m thinking you would disagree. haha.
Yes, I would have to respectfully disagree. But I am going to FL in 2 weeks so I hope that it is REALLY warm then : )
That chili looks amazing!! I was able to escape the freezing rain this time since we are in Florida. Travel safe tomorrow!
So lucky! I hope you enjoy the rest of your trip and make it home safely!
DD, our fireplace was warming and lighting the room! we made fairly basic turkey chilli and then added beans… from this huge jar of buy at costco mixed beans, soaked for 4 hours, cooked for about 2 hours and then added to the chilli… yum! I too have a vast amount of chilli, taking some to work today to feed the ‘men’. I used two cups of dry beans and I barely made a dent in the jar, want some?
Sure! I have some lentil chili for you too, so we shall figure out when I am going to see you this week!
That chili looks so good! I love lentils!
It heats ups really good for leftovers too! I am enjoying some for lunch today adn think I found a new favorite chili!
What a perfect way to spend a supposedly stormy day! My office was closed until 10 but I came in at 9 so I wouldn’t have to make up too many hours. Government employees (I am a contractor) don’t need to be in until noon so it is veryyyyy quiet here!
I would believe it! ha ha! I made some date bars too with cacao and coconut. So good and like you said, disappearing quickly : )
Hopefully you are staying warm! Your chili looks perfect for a very cold day!
After all of that…we have a beautiful 40 degree day here today. Ok, it is a bit wet, but more like spring than winter!
I love shopping in the morning, it’s so peaceful!
Yes…I just wish they had a warm beverage for me to sip on while I shopped. Ha ha!
I have the Forks Over Knives cookbook, but have not made much from it yet. I will have to give this chili recipe a try!
It’s a great place to start. There is another stew a friend of mine made that was incredible too! It’s a fun cookbook to have!
Wow that lentil chili looks amazing!! I love the avocado on top! No storm for me thank goodness!
You are lucky! But should definitely still enjoy some warm winter soup with avocado of course.
[…] had an early lunch of leftover Lentil Chili, which was even better reheated […]
We got some freezing rain on Sunday followed by three inches of snow… was beautiful, especially on a lazy Sunday! Hope the weather’s ok there!
Can’t go wrong with some healthy chili + avocado! Looks delish!
We are up to 58 degrees and I just went for an outdoor run. This weather is CRAZY! I am thrilled to have chili leftovers for lunch this week and I have another big sweet avocado. Yum!
[…] said to the BOY that I don’t know of anyone else who uses their crockpot as often as we do. We had a cold and lazy weekend, so when I woke up Sunday morning, I immediately went searching through my cookbooks before heading […]
[…] of quick breads! And you’ll definitely notice a theme here with my last few posts. Lentil Chili, Crockpot Peanut Butter Chicken, and bread…they are all comfort foods perfect for a lazy weekend […]
I finally made this soup last night. It was delish!! Even my husband and daughter loved it!!!!
I am so happy to hear that!
One of the reason’s I wanted to start my blog was to share some of the easy, healthy, and tasty recipes that I love with other’s. This comment made my day!