Start by peeling and chopping the onion and garlic. Their fragrant aroma will fill your kitchen, setting the stage for the deliciousness to come. Prepare your tomatoes by washing and chopping them into small pieces.
Next, take your sweet potato and wash, peel, and dice it into small cubes. This will help it cook evenly and blend seamlessly into the chili.
If you’re using canned beans, you can skip any preparation steps for them. Just rinse them under cold water to ensure they’re ready to absorb the flavors of the chili.
Now, it’s time to prepare the quinoa. Rinse it well to remove any bitterness, then add it to a stockpot or pan with double the amount of cold water and a pinch of salt. Bring this mixture to a boil.
Once boiling, reduce the heat to low and let it simmer until the water is fully absorbed. This usually takes around 15 minutes. After that, remove it from the heat and keep it covered for about 5 minutes. This step ensures your quinoa is fluffy and perfectly cooked.
While your quinoa cooks, heat a large pan over medium heat and add a splash of olive oil. Once hot, add the chopped onion and garlic. Sauté them for about 2-3 minutes until they turn golden and fragrant.
Next, add in the diced sweet potato. Stir and cook for about 3-4 minutes until they start to caramelize slightly. This enhances their natural sweetness.
Now, season the mixture with basil, oregano, parsley, sweet smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper. Stir everything together until well combined, allowing the spices to infuse.
It’s time to incorporate your chopped tomatoes. Stir them into the pan and allow them to cook for another 2-3 minutes, letting the juices meld into the other ingredients.
Add the tomato sauce to the pan and bring the mixture to a boil. Cover it with a lid and let it simmer for about 15 minutes or until the sweet potato pieces are tender.
Finally, stir in the beans and the cooked quinoa. These ingredients just need to be reheated through as they are already cooked. Add any additional hot chili powder or flakes to suit your taste.
Before serving, taste the chili and adjust the seasoning if necessary. A sprinkle of extra salt and black pepper can elevate the flavors even more. And just like that, your Quinoa Sweet Potato Chili is ready to be enjoyed!
