Autumn has well and truly settled in, which means cozy sweaters, falling leaves, and bowls of chili flavored with warming spices.
Before we dive head-first into fun-size candy bars and last-minute Halloween costume decisions, why not gather some friends for a pre-Halloween chili night?
Chili is a perfect food for entertaining because it's low-maintenance, you can make it ahead (the flavor actually gets better the longer it sits), and almost everyone likes it. Guests can serve themselves as they drop in and can even customize it to their tastes with a well-stocked chili bar.
Set Up a Make-Your-Own Chili Bar
If you're hosting, you really only have three responsibilities:
- Make the chili (we've got a great recipe for you below).
- Set up a "chili bar" with assorted toppings (think of it like a salad bar but way better).
- Keep the chili warm.
If you want to take the seasonal Halloween element of this chili party to the next level, decorate with a few mini pumpkins, winter squashes, and jars of classic treats. You can also create a "witches brew" with blood orange juice, sparkling water, and ginger kombucha, or whip up a red wine sangria and serve in a punch bowl or large glass pitcher in lieu of a caldron.
Your self-serve chili bar can include:
- Red chili flakes
- Corn chips
- Guacamole or sliced avocado
- Hot sauce
- Toasted pepitas
- Chopped scallions
- Smoked paprika
- Chipotle seasoning
- Fresh cilantro
- Pickled vegetables
- Sour cream, Greek yogurt, or labneh cheese
- Grated cheddar cheese
- Gluten-free cornbread
Simply place selected toppings in their own bowls and leave out serving spoons for everything.
And don't forget to put out enough:
- Bowls
- Spoons
- Napkins
- Water
- Glasses
And boom, you're ready to party—the #ThursdayMoments way.
Adobo Chickpea + Pinto Bean Veggie Chili Recipe
Serves 6 to 8
Ingredients
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 1½ large white onions, finely diced
- 5 large garlic cloves, minced
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1 teaspoon Simply Organic ground cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon Simply Organic ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon Simply Organic ground onion powder
- 1 teaspoon Simply Organic ground chili powder
- 1 (14½-ounce) can of diced tomatoes
- 5 teaspoons adobo sauce from canned chipotles
- 1 teaspoon sherry vinegar
- 1 cup water
- 1 (15½-ounce) can garbanzo beans
- 1 (19-ounce) can kidney beans, drained
Preparation
- Saute onions in olive oil in a cast-iron pot (or dutch oven) on low-medium heat, add a pinch of salt and pepper, and let sweat for approximately 5 minutes.
- Add garlic and all spices and saute. Once the garlic looks a little toasted, add tomatoes, adobo, vinegar, and water. Let reduce for 2 minutes.
- Once the tomato mixture is boiling, add the beans and adjust salt and pepper. Voila! You've got yourself a basic recipe for chili.