A sweet potato chili to warm you up inside

Did you dig out your parka this past week? I did, too, which indicates it’s probably time to snuggle up for winter.

It also means it’s time to brush up on your chili recipe repertoire so your insides will feel as warm and toasty.

Chili is a favourite fall/ winter dish, and often includes either chicken or beef. This recipe gets its protein from canned beans, with sweet potato adding the vitamin C and vitamin B6 that could help scare away winter colds.

I used chipotle chili powder, which added a fiery kick to the dish; the addition of yogurt just before serving helped cool it down. The chili was even better the next day (I ate it for breakfast) and it also freezes well for those busy, don’t-feel-like-cooking nights when the microwave is your best friend.

You can dish this chili right out of the slow cooker and into a bowl. Or, serve over a bed of rice or quinoa. Garnish with fresh herbs and an optional dollop of yogurt and/or shredded coconut. It’s also delicious with tortilla chips crumbled on top.

Slow-Cooker Coconut Sweet Potato Chili

Makes: Eight servings

1/2 medium sweet onion, diced

2 stalks of celery, diced

2 Granny Smith or other tart apples, peeled, cored and diced

2 large sweet potatoes or yams, peeled and cubed

2 garlic cloves, minced

2 poblano chilies, cored and chopped 15-oz can black beans, rinsed and drained

15-oz can garbanzo beans, rinsed and drained

15-oz can fire-roasted tomatoes 15-oz can coconut milk

2 cups of chicken or vegetable broth

1 Tbsp of your favourite chili powder, or more (or less) to taste

2 tsp ground cumin

1 tsp of dried oregano

2-3 tsp curry powder, optional

• Salt and pepper to taste

• Red pepper flakes, to taste

1/2 cup plain yogurt, plus more for serving

• Chopped fresh cilantro, parsley or chives, for garnish

• Shredded unsweetened coconut, for garnish, optional

Place onion, celery, apples, sweet potatoes, garlic and chopped poblano in the crock of a six-quart slow cooker. Stir to combine, then add beans, tomatoes, coconut milk and chicken or vegetable broth.

Stir again, then add chili powder, cumin, oregano and optional curry powder. Season generously with salt and pepper.

Cook on high heat for four hours, or on low for six to eight hours. A few hours in, taste and add more chili powder, as desired, or a pinch or two of cayenne pepper if you like chili on the spicy side.

Toward the end of cooking, open the lid to allow the chili to thicken. If the chili looks a bit dry, add a bit more broth or water.

Just before serving, stir in yogurt. Spoon into warmed bowls and garnish with fresh chopped herbs and a dollop of yogurt, if desired.