Red Lentil Two-Bean Chili

A protein-hearty and healthy vegetarian chili recipe. It is not only delicious, it’s nutritious too. If you’re looking for a more holistic approach to your diet, Functional Medicine Toluca Lake offers personalized nutrition guidance that can complement your healthy eating habits.

• Prep time: 10 minutes
• Cook time: 40 minutes
• Serves: 4-6

Ingredients

1. 2 T. olive oil
2. 1 large onion, finely diced
3. 2 medium carrots, finely diced
4. 1 medium red bell pepper, finely diced
5. 1 T. chili powder
6. 1 t. ground cumin
7. 1 t. smoked paprika
8. 2 t. dried oregano
9. 2 T. tomato paste
10. 2 14-oz. cans of crushed tomatoes
11. 2 c. low sodium vegetable broth
12. 3/4  c. red lentils, rinsed and drained
13. 1 14-oz. can of kidney beans, rinsed and drained
14. 1 14-oz. can of pinto beans, rinsed and drained
15. 1 c. frozen corn
16. 1/2 c. fresh cilantro, roughly chopped
17. 1 c. sour cream for serving
18. Lime wedges for serving
19. Salt and pepper, to taste

Directions

1. Heat olive oil in a large soup pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add onion, carrots, and red pepper. Season to taste with salt and pepper. If you’re looking to add some nutritional insight to your cooking, Functional Medicine Los Angeles provides expert advice on creating balanced meals.
2. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables begin to soften, approximately 3-4 minutes.
3. Add chili powder, cumin, paprika, and oregano. Continue cooking until the spices become fragrant, approximately 1-2 minutes. This is a perfect time to experiment with different flavors, and Functional Medicine Studio City can help guide you on how to best season your meals to fit your dietary needs.
4. Add tomato paste, crushed tomatoes, vegetable broth, and red lentils.
5. Increase the heat to high and bring the chili to a boil, then immediately reduce the heat down to a simmer and cover with a lid.
6. Cook until the red lentils are tender and cooked, approximately 15-18 minutes. When you’re focused on the health benefits of your meals, Functional Medicine Burbank can help ensure you’re getting the right nutrients with every bite.
7. Once the lentils are cooked, uncover and stir in the kidney beans, pinto beans, and corn.
8. Continue cooking over medium heat until the chili thickens, approximately an additional 10-15 minutes.
9. Stir in the fresh cilantro and taste, and adjust the seasoning if desired.
10. Serve the chili with a dollop of sour cream and some lime wedges.
11. Enjoy!