Chili with Chipotle {3 Bean Recipe}

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After a Dailey Method or Pilates workout I crave a meal that's hearty, healthy and enriched with protein.  (On a side note if you haven't checked out the dailey method, I suggest you do!)

Eating healthy can be, well, slightly boring and monotonous.  I love salads, grilled veggies, quinoa and raw foods; although sometimes these can be on the light side.  After a hard workout protein is what your body craves.  Chili is hearty, healthy and veggie filled...everything your muscles need.

A hearty chili meal isn't a "real" chili without its partner in crime...corn bread.  If you want to avoid unwanted calories, skip the corn bread; although I wouldn't recommend it!

My chili is super simple, quick and easy to adapt. 

Enjoy! 

3 Bean Chili


Ingredients
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 teaspoon garlic, minced
1 onion, diced, plus 1/4 cup for garnish
1/2 red bell pepper, diced
1/2 green pepper, diced
2 carrots, diced
2 teaspoons cumin
1/4 teaspoon thyme
1 teaspoon oregano
1/4 teaspoon 21 seasoning salute (from trader joes) *Optional*
1 bay leaf
1.2 lbs lean ground beef/turkey
2 1/2 cups water
4 cups diced tomatoes ( I used Pomi brand)
1 chipotle pepper (in adobo sauce), minced
2 1/2 teaspoons adobo sauce
1 can organic kidney beans, rinsed
1 can organic black beans, rinsed
1 can organic pinto beans, rinsed
salt and pepper to taste
sour cream, garnish
cheddar cheese, grated, for garnish

Preparation
Heat olive oil and garlic in a  dutch oven (or heavy saucepan) over medium-high heat, until fragrant.  Add the onions, red/green bell pepper and carrots, stirring until soft, about 10 minutes.  Stir in cumin, thyme and oregano stirring for 1minute.  Add bay leaf, 21 seasoning salute and beef.  Cook beef until no longer pink.  Pour water, diced tomatoes, adobo sauce and chipotle pepper.  Cook partially covered for 30 minutes.

Add black, pinto and kidney beans to chili, cook for an additional 20-25 minutes.  Add salt and pepper to taste.

Serve immediately, garnishing with cheddar cheese, diced onions and sour cream.