Fall Flavors: Turkey, Sweet Potato, & Black Bean Chili over Roasted Acorn Squash

A half of a roasted acorn squash makes the perfect vessel to hold my Turkey, Sweet Potato, & Black Bean Chili.  It's filled with the fall flavors we love and brings on the Autumn comfort vibes!

Turkey, Sweet Potato, & Black Bean Chili over Roasted Acorn Squash

When fall arrives, I find myself craving all the cozy seasonal flavors. I eagerly scour my local grocery store, waiting for the first sight of squashes, pumpkins, and sweet potatoes. These ingredients bring me comfort in every form—whether in a salad, soup, roasted, or as part of a hearty bowl of chili. Recently, while browsing Instagram, I stumbled upon a video where someone halved an acorn squash, roasted until beautifully browned and tender, and then used it as a bowl for chili. I’ve seen bread and pumpkin bowls before, but never thought of using an acorn squash. I knew I had to try it. And here we are!

This chili is made with turkey meat to keep it on the healthier side, though you can easily substitute beef if you prefer. Sweet potatoes and black beans add a wonderful complement, pairing beautifully with the roasted squash. The chili offers a mild heat from jalapeño, but you can easily adjust the spice level to suit your taste. While there are a few steps involved in making the chili and roasting the squash, it's simple to prepare and makes for a perfect weekend meal. Trust me, it’s worth it!  

This dish embodies the essence of comfort food. With each bite of the chili, followed by the roasted squash, you experience a perfect blend of flavors that is simply heavenly. I truly hope you enjoy it!

Enjoy!

What Ingredients do I need?

Pantry items

• chili powder
• ground cumin
• paprika
• dried oregano
• canola oil
• crushed tomatoes
• black beans (2 cans)

Protein

• ground turkey or beef if you prefer

Vegetables

• onion
• garlic
• red bell peppers (2)
• jalapeno
• sweet potatoes
• acorn squash

Other

• beer - any kind (1 can or bottle)

Substitutions and Variations

• Make your favorite chili recipe instead

• Use round small sourdough bread loafs as bowls buy cutting off the tops and hollowing out the insides.  

• Switch out the beans for red kidney beans

• Leave out the sweet potato

• Amp up the spice using more jalapeno, hot sauce, cayenne pepper, or red chili flakes

• Leave out the hot spice altogether

Kitchen Tips and Notes

• Start your chili first, or cook it ahead and reheat it.

• Roast the acorn squash right before you want to eat so it is nice and warm.

• Use caution and a sharp nice when cutting the squash in half.  They are tough to cut.

• To make the bowl vessels cut the squash from the top stem down vertically through to the bottom tip.

• Use a large metal spoon to scrape out the seeds and any stringy matter inside the middle of the squash.

• Using parchment paper on a baking sheet under the squash will help with clean up.

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Turkey, Sweet Potato, & Black Bean Chili over Roasted Acorn Squash

Chili servings:  10

Chili:
3 Tablespoon canola oil
2 lbs ground turkey
1 onion, diced
4 cloves garlic, minced
2 red bell pepper, seeded and diced
1 jalapeno, seeded and finely diced
2 Tablespoons chili powder
1 Tablespoon ground cumin
1 Tablespoon paprika
1 Tablespoon dried oregano
1 28oz can crushed tomatoes
1 bottle of beer
3 cups chopped sweet potatoes, peeled and diced
2 cans black beans, drained and rinsed

Acorn Squash:

acorn squash - each squash will make 2 serving bowls.  Buy as many as needed. 

canola oil

salt & pepper 

Chili Preparation: In a large Dutch oven heat the oil over medium high heat.  Add the ground turkey and onion, cooking about 5 minutes.  Add the garlic, bell pepper, and Jalapeno and cook 5-10 more until meat is cooked through and veggies are crisp tender.

Add the chili powder, cumin, paprika, oregano, crushed tomatoes, beer, and sweet potatoes.  Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low and simmer for 30 minutes.  Add the black beans and cook an additional 10 minutes.  Test the potatoes, they should be fork tender.  If not, cook an additional 5 minutes.

Acorn Squash Preparation:  Preheat oven to 400F.  Cust the squash in half and scrape the seeds out using a large spoon.  Drizzle with canola oil and sprinkle with salt & pepper on the cut sides.  Place parchment paper on a baking sheet and place the squash cut side down.  Roast for 30 minutes or until they are fork tender.  If you want the squash more caramelized, turn them right side up and roast an additional 10-15 minutes.  

To serve:  place 1/2 acorn squash on a plate or in a large bowl.  Ladle the turkey chili into the squash.  Garnish with chili toppings.  Serve.

adapted from Diane Morrisey - Instagram

Small Batch: Vanilla Maple Muffins

The aroma of fresh baked Vanilla Maple Muffins on a brisk Autumn day sparks cozy feelings of a hot cup of tea and a good book, all snuggled up in throw blanket.  

Vanilla Maple Muffins

We just got back from Yosemite National Park where the weather was crisp and chilly during the day and fireplace cold at night.  It was great being in the woods surrounded by sequoias and pines, and drinking hot cocoa in front of the fire.  Our resort had the most grand breakfast buffet that we enjoyed several times.  One item on the pastry table caught my eye.  It was a  vanilla maple muffin so being the muffin connoisseur I tried one and fell in love with the warming flavors of the season.  I had to go home and recreate this recipe, so here we are!

One bite into a hot muffin and the spices of vanilla and maple fill your senses making you feel all cozy.  This is what comfort food is made of.  The muffins are easy to pull together.  You only need 1 bowl and about 20 minutes of baking time.  This is a small batch of 6 muffins (the perfect small family size).  For a little added protein and some tang, I used Greek yogurt along with a small amount of milk.  I used a combination of vanilla bean paste and maple extract are they compliment each other perfectly, making this a wonderful Autumn/Winter muffin.  

Enjoy!  

What Ingredients do I need?

• Greek yogurt
• milk
• eggs
• canola oil
• vanilla bean paste
• maple extract
• all purpose flour
• sugar or sugar alternative if using (for Keto, low carb)
• baking powder
• salt
• Optional- sparkling sugar

Substitutions and Variations

• Use a combination of white whole wheat flour along with all purpose flour for a more earthy flavor.  (1 cup all purpose and 1/2 cup of white whole wheat flour)

• Make mini muffins or small loaves instead - adjust the cooking time accordingly.  (10-12 min for mini muffins; 30-40 for small loaves depending upon the size)

• Doing a Keto diet or want lower carb? Use an alternative sugar of you choice as a substitute. I like King Arthur's sugar alternative.

• Any addition of dried fruit (raisins, currants, golden raisins, cherries or cranberries) or add-ins ( shredded coconut, walnuts, or granola) will work.

Kitchen Tips and Notes

• 1st rule of thumb when making muffins is "do not overmix" the batter. You want it batter to just come together. Little spots of flour is okay.

• To get high muffin tops turn your oven up to 400 degrees.

• Make sure you are using fresh baking powder. To test put 1/2 teaspoon into 1/4 cup of boiling water. If it bubbles, you are good.

• Double the recipe for 12 muffins.

• Muffins can be frozen individually and kept for 3 months.

• Fill the muffin tin almost to the top for nice big domed muffins.

  Items You May Need  

Vanilla Bean Paste - I use this one.

Maple Extract - this is a great one.

6 well muffin tin - I have loved this one.

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Vanilla Maple Muffins

yield: 6 muffins


1/2 cups plain Greek yogurt
1/4 cup milk
1 egg
1/4 cup canola oil
1/2 teaspoon vanilla bean paste
1 teaspoon maple extract
1 1/2 cups flour
1/2 cups sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons baking powder
sparkling sugar for the tops

 

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Spray a 6 well muffin tin with non-stick cooking spray and set aside.

Add the yogurt, milk, egg, oil, vanilla bean paste, and maple extract.  Mix together using a spatula to completely incorporate.

Add the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt.  Stir just until combined. Do not over mix. 

Using an cookie or ice cream scoop, add batter to the individual muffin tins. Add the sanding sugar on the tops of each muffin, if using.   Bake 18-20 minutes. Remove from the oven and allow to cool 5-10 minutes in the tin. Serve warm or at room temperature.

Easy Weeknight Skillet Meals: Southwestern Chicken Bowls

My Southwestern Chicken Bowls are an easy weeknight skillet meal that's perfect for a family dinner, and on the table in 30 minutes.

Southwestern Chicken Bowls

We eat a lot of "bowls" around here.  The method of stir frying is a quick way to get a nutritious meal on the table fast, and it doesn't only pertain to Asian flavors.  Today we are exploring the Southwest and bringing in some great bold, smokey, and earthy flavors used in the region.  These are foods blended from  Latin and native American influences.  Ingredients such as corn, beans, and squash (known as the three sisters), chilies, tomatoes, and limes bring out the flavors in full force.  Add in some chili lime seasoning and you have a meal bursting with flavor!

The protein I chose for this dish is chicken breasts, but you could use pork or beef if you would like.  The dish is served over some hot cooked rice and topped with buttery avocado.  All in 1 skillet and under 30 minutes served any day of the week.  The family will be asking for more.

Enjoy!

What Ingredients do I need?

• chicken breasts - boneless and skinless is the easiest

• chili lime seasoning -  I used Trader Joe's as it has a big lime punch.  Newman's Own is another good choice.

• canola oil

• zucchini

• yellow onion

• yellow bell pepper

• corn - use fresh corn on the cob if in season, otherwise frozen will be a good choice

• diced tomatoes with hatch chilies - I use a brand called HATCH and Rotel also make a blend with hatch chilies.  If you can't find this just by a regular Rotel with green chilies for great flavor.

• black beans

• fresh limes

Substitutions and Variations

• Change up the protein:  try chicken thighs, pork tenderloin, or sirloin steak.

• Beans: try pinto beans.

• Veggies:  summer squash, any color of bell pepper, and poblano peppers are all good in this dish. 

• Heat level:  you can amp up the heat level by buying tomatoes with hot chilies.

Kitchen Tips and Notes

• Prep your ingredients first: stir frys tend to go fast so you want all your ingredients ready when you start cooking.

• Cooking method:  stir fry your seasoned chicken first then remove from the pan.  Stir fry your veggies next.  Add in the items to be heated such as tomatoes and beans.  Bring the chicken back (along with any accumulated juices!) and heat through to finish the cooking process.

• Serving suggestions:  you can serve this as is for a low carb meal or serve over hot cooked rice, quinoa, couscous, or even mashed potatoes.

• Garnish:  for a little more zip add slices or cubes of avocado and don't forget a squeeze of lime juice over the top.

 

     More "Bowl" Recipes     

• Mojito Chicken Bowls

• Lighter Burrito Bowls

• Bruschetta Chicken Rice Bowls

• Greek Chicken Bowls

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Southwestern Chicken Bowls

serves 4

1 1/2 lbs. boneless skinless chicken breasts
2 - 3 teaspoons chili lime seasoning ( I used Trader Joe's)
2 Tablespoons canola oil
2 zucchini, halved and diced
1 medium yellow onion, small diced
2 yellow bell pepper, seeded and diced
2 ears of corn, cut off the cob (about 2 cups)
1 10 oz. can diced tomatoes with hatch chilies
1 14 oz can of black beans, drained and rinsed
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
2 limes, divided use

Optional:
cooked long grain white rice
avocado slices or cubes for topping

Cut the chicken breasts in to bit sized cubes.  Sprinkle the cubes with the chili lime seasoning and toss to coat all the chicken.  

Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat.  Add the canola oil and allow to get hot.  The oil is hot when it shimmers with ripples when tilting the skillet.  Add in the chicken and cook about 5-6 minutes stirring frequently (like a stir fry) until all sides are browned and chicken is cooked through.  Remove the chicken to a plate or a baking sheet and set aside.

To the skillet add in your zucchini, onion, bell pepper, and corn.  Cook for 5-7 minutes until the onion is translucent, the bell pepper is crisp tender, and the corn has a little char to it.  Add in the diced tomatoes and chilis (with their juices) and the black beans.   Add in the juice from 1/2 of a lime.  Season with salt and pepper.  Stir to blend everything.  Add the chicken and any accumulated juices back to the skillet and allow everything to heat through about 5 minutes.  Once done squirt the other 1/2 of the lime juice over the dish.

Cut the other lime in to quarters.  Serve in a bowl over cooked hot rice and top with avocado and add a wedge of lime.