Pumpkin Chili with Cilantro Lime Cream

With a snowstorm roaring away outside and some pumpkins begging to be used, I wanted something savory, nutritious and delicious to nourish my little family, so I came up with the following using ingredients I had on hand.

Pumpkin Chili with Cilantro Lime Cream

1 cup (1 small) finely chopped onion

2 cloves garlic, finely chopped

1 red pepper, cored, seeded and diced
1 jalapeño, seeded and finely diced
2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
1 1/2 cup pureed pumpkin (or 1 can)
2 pints (or 2 small cans) diced tomatoes and their juice
1 1/2 cups (1 small can) hominy, rinsed and drained
1 can beans (white, pinto or garbanzo) rinsed and drained
2 cups water, veg broth or chicken stock
1 cup amber ale
1 tbsp ground cumin
1 tbsp chili powder
1 tsp oregano
2 tsp cocoa powder
2 cups cubed cooked pumpkin

Cilantro Lime Cream
1/4 cup sour cream
1 tsp finely chopped cilantro*
a squeeze of fresh lime juice
a pinch kosher salt

Mix together ingredients for the cilantro lime cream and set aside.

Cook onions, peppers and garlic in oil over a med-low flame until soft, but not browned, about 5-7 minutes.

Add pumpkin, hominy, beans, tomatoes, water or stock, ale, cumin, chili powder, oregano, cocoa powder, salt and pepper. Bring to a boil, turn the heat down and let simmer 30-40 minutes. Add pumpkin chunks, stir and heat through, 5 minutes.

Serve with cilantro lime cream.
 
*If you don't already have some in your freezer, Trader Joe's has frozen herbs in small cubes...perfect for days like this!

Surrounded by love

This year CiBaby had definiate opinions on what she was going to give her friends for Valentine's Day...which of course involved crafting...and specifically, painting.

With only a wee bit of help from me, I think her project turned out beautifully!

le CiBebe

Off to little French picnic at the best preschool on the planet.

The past two weeks have been focused on Claude Monet and his art. Today they celebrated with a little French picnic...which included baguettes and butter, fresh fruit, yummy cheese, some sparkling cider and they brought chocolates home.

Next week they are baking Madeleines...mmmmm Madeleines. I want to go to preschool!

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