Chili has got to be one of the easiest, yet tastiest meals to make for the family. Throw it in the crockpot and it’ll be done by dinnertime. It’s also super versatile, because instead of just beans, tomatoes and onions, there are plenty of ways to make it even more nutrient dense. Try making chili by adding in a greater variety of different types of beans and vegetables (like kidney, pinto, chickpeas, black beans, lentils, mushrooms, bell peppers, corn kernels, sweet potato, zucchini, eggplant, carrots or butternut squash)! The extra cooked vegetables and beans make great finger foods for your toddler and child. Plus, here are at least 10 ways that I’ve found so far that one can eat chili:
- With tortilla chips
- With cornbread
- With rice or dinner rolls/fresh baguette slices/toasted garlic bread
- With a baked white or sweet potato
- With a whole wheat tortilla wrap or in a soft/hard taco shell (feel free to add in fresh veggies and rice!)
- On a hot dog (think of chili dogs)
- As part of a taco salad
- with melted vegan cheese shreds and tortilla chips like nachos
- As a filling in sandwiches
- With pasta noodles
Hope these suggestions gives you new ideas and ways to reinvent this familiar dish! And feel free to comment with other ways to eat chili that you’ve found!
