Warm Winter Chili

This chili surprises us every time. It is nothing like you would think… beets, pumpkin, cocoa? Sounds weird, I know. But everyone ate it, even the kids! The next day, we were eating the leftovers and my husband suddenly said “There are beets in this?” Granted, he is sometimes oblivious to what he is eating (the chili IS purple) but it is that good, you may not even notice the beets.

Warm Winter Chili 

taken from And Love It Too

1T Olive Oil
5 Cloves Garlic, minced
1 medium yellow onion, diced
1.5 lb ground beef
2 Medium Beets, peeled and diced small
3 c Squash Puree
4 c broth (Beef or Chicken)
2T Balsamic Vinegar
2T Honey
2T Ground Cumin
2T Dry Basil
1T Cocoa Powder
2 tsp Salt (more/less to taste)
2 tsp Pepper (more/less to taste)
½ tsp Ground Cloves

How To:
In large stock pan, sauté garlic and onion in olive oil until lightly caramelized.  Add meat, sear slightly then add diced beets. Allow to cook until meat is nearly done. Add remaining ingredients and allow to simmer on low-medium for 1-3 hours, or transfer cooked meat/beet mixture into crockpot, add remaining ingredients and set on high for 4 hours or low for 8.  Add salt and pepper as needed. Enjoy!