๐ฅ Amy’s Crock Pot Chili ๐ถ๏ธ
What is it?
Amy’s Crock Pot Chili is a delicious and hearty slow-cooked chili recipe that’s perfect for warming you up on a cold day or for a comforting meal any time of the year. It’s a flavorful blend of ground beef, beans, vegetables, and spices, simmered in a crockpot to develop deep and rich flavors.
History:
The history of chili is rich and varied, with numerous regional variations and debates about its origins. Traditional chili recipes have been enjoyed for centuries, with roots in Mexican and Texan cuisine. Crockpot cooking became popular in the mid-20th century, making it easier to slow-cook dishes like chili. While Amy’s Crock Pot Chili may not have a specific historical origin, it’s a modern take on a classic comfort food.
Components:
- 1 pound (450g) ground beef or turkey
- 1 onion, chopped
- 1 green bell pepper, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 can (15 ounces) kidney beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 can (15 ounces) black beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 can (15 ounces) diced tomatoes
- 1 can (6 ounces) tomato paste
- 2 tablespoons chili powder
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Optional toppings: shredded cheese, sour cream, chopped green onions
Steps to Prepare:
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Brown the Meat: In a large skillet over medium heat, brown the ground beef or turkey until fully cooked. Drain any excess fat.
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Sautรฉ Vegetables: In the same skillet, add chopped onion, green bell pepper, and minced garlic. Sautรฉ until the vegetables are softened.
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Combine Ingredients: Transfer the cooked meat and sautรฉed vegetables to your crockpot. Add kidney beans, black beans, diced tomatoes, and tomato paste.
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Season: Stir in chili powder, cumin, paprika, salt, and pepper. Adjust the seasonings to taste. You can add more chili powder for extra heat.
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Slow Cook: Cover the crockpot and cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours. Slow cooking allows the flavors to meld together beautifully.
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Serve: Once it’s done, ladle the chili into bowls. You can top it with shredded cheese, a dollop of sour cream, or chopped green onions for added flavor and texture.
Preparation Time:
- Prep time: 15-20 minutes
- Crockpot cooking time: 3-8 hours (depending on the setting)
Amy’s Crock Pot Chili is not only delicious but also versatile. You can adjust the ingredients and spice levels to suit your preferences, making it a family favorite for gatherings and cozy dinners. Enjoy this emoji-worthy comfort food! ๐ฝ๏ธ๐ถ๏ธ๐
Certainly! Here are the nutrition facts and health information for a typical serving of Amy’s Crock Pot Chili:
Nutrition Facts (per serving):
- Calories: Approximately 350-400 calories per serving (varies based on ingredients and portion size).
- Total Fat: About 10-15 grams.
- Saturated Fat: Typically 3-5 grams.
- Cholesterol: Approximately 30-50 milligrams.
- Sodium: Varies depending on the amount of added salt, but it can range from 800-1200 milligrams or more.
- Total Carbohydrates: Around 40-50 grams.
- Dietary Fiber: Approximately 10-12 grams.
- Sugars: Roughly 5-8 grams (mostly from natural sources like tomatoes and beans).
- Protein: About 20-25 grams.
Health Information:
- Protein: The ground beef or turkey in the chili provides a good source of protein, which is essential for muscle health and overall body function.
- Fiber: The beans and vegetables in the chili contribute to its high fiber content. Fiber is important for digestive health and can help you feel full and satisfied.
- Low-Fat Options: You can make this chili with lean ground turkey or beef and minimize added fats to reduce the overall fat content.
- Vegetables: This recipe includes vegetables like onions, bell peppers, and garlic, which are rich in vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants.
- Spices: The use of spices like chili powder and cumin not only adds flavor but may also have health benefits. For example, chili powder contains capsaicin, which can boost metabolism.
- Sodium Awareness: Be mindful of the sodium content, especially if you have dietary restrictions or health concerns related to high blood pressure. You can reduce sodium by using low-sodium canned beans and tomatoes or by not adding additional salt.
It’s important to note that the exact nutritional values can vary based on the specific ingredients and portion sizes used in your recipe. To get precise nutritional information for your version of Amy’s Crock Pot Chili, you can use a nutrition calculator or consult the nutrition labels on the ingredients you use.
