Put a new spin on your usual chili by adding Bob’s Red Mill orca beans to create sprouted orca bean and squash chili. Pair it with freshly baked corn bread for a hearty week night dinner.
I am partnering with Bob’s Red Mill and Stonyfield for this post. I have been compensated for my time commitment to use these products. However, my opinions are entirely my own and I have not been paid to publish positive comments.
There is nothing quite like a bowl of hot chili on a cool fall day. You can add lots of vegetables, make it extra meaty, spice it up or keep it mild.
I’ve made chili many ways. The possibilities are endless.
Try something new.
But one thing I have never added to my chili is orca beans! In fact I had never heard of them until recently.
Bob’s Red Mill orca beans are so fun. They look like mini orca whales with the black and white exterior. What kid wouldn’t love to have whales swimming around in her chili?!
A lot to love about beans.
One of the things about orca beans that stood out to me right away was the nutrition content. They have lots of fiber, protein, folate, magnesium, potassium, phosphorus, iron and zinc. Talk about packing a punch!
Just be sure to sprout your beans first to make them easier to digest and to make the vitamins and minerals available. That means thinking ahead to start the beans the day before you make chili. But it only takes about thirty seconds to get them sprouting.
The other unique thing about this chili is the pureed squash. It adds thickness and a hint of sweetness. Combine that with tomatoes, onions, peppers, zucchini, broth and your choice of beef or chicken. Dinner is served!
Top it. Pair it.
Sprouted orca bean and squash chili can be eaten as is or you can add a variety of toppings. We like to add grated cheese and avocado. Another delicious addition is Stonyfield plain yogurt. It cools down the spice and adds a creaminess to the chili.
Of course you can’t just have a bowl of chili. Sprouted orca bean and squash chili is great served on noodles or rice.
But our favorite way to eat it is paired with cornbread! You can make traditional cornbread. Or if you have corn allergies like we do try my corn free cornbread. You’ll never know the difference.
Eat it now, eat it later.
Load up the crockpot with a big batch of chili. Serve it for dinner and pack up the leftovers for school lunches. Simply heat it in the morning, and it will stay warm in a thermos. Spread a generous helping of butter on leftover cornbread. It doesn’t get much easier or tastier!
Chili also freezes well. So you can keep some on hand in the freezer for an easy lunch or dinner.
My kids love orca beans. They are great in chili or cooked and eaten plain. Give them a try and see what your kids think. Then add them to sprouted orca bean and squash chili. They won’t be able to pass up killer whales in their soup!
Looking for a new, easy dinner this fall? Crockpot sprouted orca bean and squash chili is perfect any night of the week.
- 1/2 cup Bob's Red Mill orca beans
- warm water
- 2 cups chicken or beef broth
- 1 lb. ground beef or chicken
- 1 cup pureed squash
- 1 cup diced tomatoes
- optional: 1/2 cup diced onion
- optional: 1/2 cup green peppers, diced
- optional: 1/2 cup zucchini, diced
- 2 tsp. unrefined sea salt
- 1 tsp. garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp. chili powder
- 1/4 tsp. cumin
- optional toppings: shredded cheese, avocado, Stonyfield plain full fat yogurt
- The day before making the chili, place the beans in a bowl and fill it with warm water. Let it sit 8 hours. Drain the water. Let the bowl sit in a warm area or in the oven (turned off) with the light on for 8 hours.
- When ready to prepare, cook the meat. Add it to the crockpot.
- Saute the onion, peppers and zucchini (if using). Add them to the crockpot.
- Add the sprouted beans, broth, squash, tomatoes and seasoning.
- Cover and cook on HIGH 6-8 hours or on LOW 8-12 hours, until beans are fully cooked.
- Add toppings to individual bowls if desired.
- This chili freezes and reheats well.
- You can replace the squash with pumpkin.
This post is linked to Savoring Saturdays.
You did a great job with those orca beans! I’m still racking my brain with what to do with them…
Thanks, Lynn! I usually use beans in some kind of soup. Or pork and beans is always good…I’ve got some in the crockpot right now 🙂 I wonder if refried orca beans would work?! That might be unique. Or any kind of dip with beans.
Would you please share your recipe for crockpot pork and beans? I just came upon Bob’s Red Mill orca beans and, like you, was hooked by the nutritional content. I’d love to try it in pork and beans, preferably using the crockpot.
If you do a search (search box in the side bar) for pork and beans it should come up, Katherine. I bet they would be good that way!
I agree, leftover chili is delicious. 😉 Thanks for sharing this at Savoring Saturdays!
ah this reminded me i have a mini hot pot i cn use!! yay
I don’t have a crock pot. How else can it be cooked?
You can cook it in a pot on the stove.
If you have a stockpot with a heavy cover, you can cook this on a stove by simmering over low heat for a similar number of hours. Maybe in slightly less time since you can bring the pot to boil before simmering.