July 15, 2013

Summer Slow-Cooker Meals: Spicy Pumpkin Chili

Click for Recipe for Slow Cooker Spicy Pumpkin Chili
Slow Cooker Spicy Pumpkin Chili



There are days I get burnt out as a stay-at-home mom. This has been one of those weeks. I love my kids and spending time at home with them everyday. However, there is also the flip side. I started working as an intern when I was 17. I stayed at the company for 7 years until I moved to West Virginia. During grad school I worked three jobs, including teaching a class. I met my husband and got married during my master's program and have stayed home since. Then there are the moments when you realize all the things that your high-school friends that got married and had kids later have accomplished. Some of them have been very, very successful. There is always that awkward situation when everyone that I knew back in Seattle talks about how smart and successful I was when I was younger. I know they don't mean it the way it comes out, but it still gives me pause. My husband thinks that I should start claiming that I work at home since I blog and take care of the household. Maybe he's right. I can always hope that one day my blog will become vastly successful, but we all know that's unrealistic. In the meantime I remind myself that my kids are growing up surrounded by my love and knowledge. That's enough rambling for now, onto the cooking! This weekend I chose to keep my cooking simple and I relied on my slow cooker. I tried a new recipe for Spicy Pumpkin Chili from the new All Recipes magazine.

This recipe has 18 ingredients. It takes 1 1/2 hours of total time, 15 minutes of which is active and makes 10 servings. I did make a few changes to the original recipe. First, I allowed my chili to cook in the slow cooker for 4 hours on low. I like my flavors to fully come to fruition so I increased the total cooking time. It would also work well on the stove in a dutch oven or a big pot with a lid. I was unable to find my crushed red pepper flakes, so I was forced to leave them out. Finally, I used a full 8 ounces of tomato sauce with garlic. I also found that I needed to add more salt than the 1 teaspoon suggested by the recipe.

My husband liked that this recipe has the health benefits of pumpkin without the taste being overly noticeable. He isn't a big fan of pumpkin, but he was surprised by how much he enjoyed this recipe. I love pumpkin and chili so this was a dish I really liked. It made a very big batch, more than enough for at least 10 servings. For the servings for my kids I added cheese and sour cream. They aren't big chili fans so these additions made them willing to eat their bowls. If you like your chili on the spicy side I would suggest adding jalapenos or a bit of cayenne. Since I cook with my kids in mind I always try to have my recipes be on the mild side.

For the recipe go to Spicy Pumpkin Chili.

20 comments:

  1. The folks that work outside the home are wishing they spent time at home with their kids too. What you do everyday is amazing and the long term benefits are going to pay handsomely. Cheers to you!

    I never thought of a pumpkin chili but quite frankly it sounds fabulous.

    Velva

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I haven't thought of using pumpkin in chili either, but it worked really well. Thanks for the sweet comments!

      Delete
  2. I think no matter which route we choose when it comes to staying home or working, we always wonder what if about the other option. I wish sometimes I could stay home or at least work part time. But you will so great long term benefits with your boys. And maybe your blog will be vastly successful. You have LOTS of followers. I think that s impressive :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks :) I agree that it seems like whatever the choice we always wonder about the alternative!

      Delete
  3. I understand how you feel but I've come to feel that raising my family IS my career. I used to be a teacher and I was a person people expected great things from too, and I think they're surprised that I'm "just" a mom. But I'm really embracing it now. I'm good at it, so I'm going with it. :) I think this recipe sounds good! You have a successful blog here, I can only dream of having so many followers, you're very popular and a great resource. :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'm good at it too, I just need to build a thicker skin I think :) Thanks for such sweet comments, I really do appreciate it!

      Delete
  4. See, I don't care what other people think. I do what is right for me and when I go to my high school reunion in the fall & they look down their noses at me - I'll just walk away proudly. My kids are my greatest accomplishment and I'm happy to say that I was here and involved with them and helped make them the awesome humans they are.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I need to borrow your attitude :) I have never been good about thinking like that, I need to grow a thicker skin!

      Delete
  5. Looks great! During the winter months, I hosted a pumpkin potluck playdate, which was a lot of fun. We shared Pumpkin Chili, Pumpkin Macaroni and Cheese, Pumpkin Soup, Pumpkin Pie, and Pumpkin Bread. I plan on hosting it again this year, I may have to try this recipe out this time!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I love the idea of a pumpkin potluck, I would go in a heartbeat!

      Delete
  6. This is going on my Fall to-do list (sadly it won't be too awful long until cooler weather for us comes back).

    And who cares what other people think (even those who are friends) it's ultimately our own personal happiness that matters most, and I think being happy is the highest of highest accomplishments.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. We can get pretty cold early too. With all this heat though I am more than ready for a little cold :)

      Delete
  7. Wow, this looks amazing! It's making me crave cool evenings and football. I'll definitely be referring back to this one in the fall. YUM!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I am reading for cooler evenings and fall too :) It has been way too hot here!

      Delete
  8. I wish it wasn't so hot out or I would make a batch of chili!

    Also, who cares what they think. You sound like a great mom who is raising a great family!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It has been way too hot here too. Thanks for the sweet comments!

      Delete
  9. I often worry about what people think too, and sometimes I push myself too hard because of it. I love your blog, it's excellent ... and the pumpkin chilli looks pretty damn awesome too! Cheers, Alison

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Glad I'm not the only one :) I can be my own worst enemy sometimes!

      Delete
  10. OMG, I love finding new slow cooker meals to try! YUM!!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I love slow cooker recipes too, especially when the weather is too hot or cold :)

      Delete

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...