The minute a feel the slightest bit of crisp air, my mind shifts into full autumn mode. I dream of cider donuts, I ditch the peaches for pumpkin, and my daily iced coffee immediately turns hot. It’s an all or nothing thing for me.
So upon waking up to a lovely 65 degrees and crisp cool breeze, my mind decided it was autumn. That’s not my backyard view for the record. That’s Vermont foliage, I can’t wait to hike in those gorgeous trees.
Last fall my Mom and brother visited me in Vermont for the day. After apple picking and cider sipping, we bought the ingredients to make a lovely bean chili (I was a vegetarian then) and we cooked it together in my apartment kitchen. And I had frozen chili for when I needed quick dinners or a reminder of home.
So yesterday, with my mind made up that it was officially fall, I cozied up with my cast iron and cider candle burning beside me to make my favorite comfort meal. And while I was going all out with this fall thing, I decided pumpkin would be a perfect addition. And I also decided bacon would be awesome in it too, but that had nothing to do with autumn clearly.
Pumpkin Bacon Chili
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 onion
- 1 pepper
- 1 jalepeno pepper
- 1 tbsp butter or oil
- 1 can (15oz) diced tomatoes
- 1 can pumpkin
- 2 strips of bacon
- cumin, cayenne, garlic powder, nutmeg, salt, and pepper all to taste. Don’t skimp on the cumin, that’s what gives it a great kick. And the nutmeg is subtle but necessary.
In a deep pot, sautee the chopped onion and pepper and de-seeded jalepeno in butter for several minutes over medium heat until soft.
Add in the beef and cook until browned.
Meanwhile, in another pan, cook the bacon until crispy and then break into pieces.
Pour in diced tomatoes, canned pumpkin, bacon and spices into the beef and veggie mixture. Stir together and then reduce heat and cover pot to simmer for 30-40 minutes.
This makes roughly 6 servings. I froze the rest in single serving bags for easy dinners.
And for dinner I cozied up with a warm bowl of pumpkin chili topped with avocado, and then I dreamt of tart crunchy apples and sweet pumpkin pie.
Miss you Matty!
In other news…my life got super crazy overnight, but I’m loving everything I have going on! I’m going to try my best to continue blogging at the same rate but life may very well get in the way as things pick up…
My question today is for bloggers… any tips or advice for how you fit blogging in with everything else you probably have going on in your life? I definitely am not giving it up, I love blogging and connecting with other bloggers (!), but I would love to hear your input. Also, what is your favorite fall time flavor or thing to cook?
Umm, DELICIOUS! I cannot wait to try this recipe! It is perfectly paleo so I don’t even have to make adjustments–woohoo! I have never actually added pumpkin to chili so I am excited!
I have a tendency to add onion or zucchini to any recipe that it could possibly fit. I just cannot get enough of either one!
I am new to this whole blogging world, so I am wondering the same exact thing about how to fit it all in! I have started working on posts early and just saving them to use when I am super busy or uninspired!
I know! I actually got some inspiration for this from a few paleo sources but changed it up quite a bit. And thanks for the tip, I think working on some over the weekend to get some head starts may be the way to go for me, and saving them to edit for later in the week.
You’re a girl with a good head on her shoulders– picking pumpkin & bacon as the ideal ingredients to welcome the fall? You make me proud.
This chili looks fantastic, especially with those avocado chunks on top! If I ate beef I’d be all over this. Maybe I can sub ground turkey or soy crumbles?
haha thank you! And yes that’s the good thing with soups/ chili– you can totally customize it! Turkey would be awesome too I think.
Yum! Chili is one of my all time favorite meals, and I love playing with spice combinations, but I never thought to add pumpkin and cinnamon … it sounds awesome!
Adding bacon was a fantastic idea.
I find when I get busy, but I’m feeling inspired, I’ll take a little time to write out a blog post, then save it for later–that way, I know it’s there and I can get back to other things. Then, when I’m ready to post it, I pop in the pictures that I’ll take later in the day or whatever and it’s ready to go!
Thanks, I think that’s something I have to start doing more… writing days ahead of time when I’m feeling inspired and using them later. Since I don’t write about my day to day things too much, this could work for me.
Pumpkin is my favorite fall ingredient! I can’t wait for pumpkin bread with chocolate chips. Once I had a bagel with pumpkin cream cheese (I think it was pumkin puree and cream cheese mixed together). Oooh, I just got an idea for a spicy pumpkin smoothie. Yum. Your chili looks amazing!
As far as making time for blogging, I made a goal to post at least three times a week (any more is just a bonus). That way I don’t feel bad if I skip a few days. I also have a backup post that I can use. Hope this helps. P.S. Wow, you made plastic bags of chili look beautiful! Great photo skills.
haha thanks, I thought they looked a bit gross myself, but glad to hear you thought otherwise.
I think it’s great to give yourself personal blogging goals, mine was 5 times a week, then I started adding in 1 on the weekends. But now that my life is shifting I think it may be time to shift blogging goals accordingly, to be more realistic.
That’s a great questions about how to fit blogging into an already busy schedule! My days are becoming quite hectic too! I commend those that blog 3x a day and work full time. It’s so inspiring! And definitely have to go with anything pumpkin…but fall for me really starts when Starbucks brings back the pumpkin spice latte
ahhh those lattes are unreal
A little sweet for me but I usually ask for just a little syrup and its perfect. I was thinking about bloggers who post more than once a day and also work full time, are moms etc. It’s honestly amazing!
It actually felt cooler outside today…like 90 instead of 95…ha….Wish it felt like fall here more!
And I am starting to rethink my whole-post everyday thing, too. I definitely have not been doing it since I got back from my trip. Sometimes it takes a blogging hiatus to realize what I’m missing in the real world. So I have decided to post when I feel most inspired. Perhaps every other day to give me time to write a better whole post. Quality or quantity for now on.
Quality over quantity is something I have to keep in mind, thanks. I definitely still love many blogs that don’t post everyday. I read many blogs that only post less than once a week because their content is what I enjoy, not that they stick to a certain blogging schedule.
That was one of my most favorite days ever last fall with you and Matteo!
I have always loved everything about the fall… all the sights, sounds ,smells and tastes and the kids back in school!
Matt and I will be visiting you again very soon as the days grow shorter and cooler!
Love you! Mom
This looks like such a delicious combination of flavors! I would never have thought of that. Thank you for sharing the recipe, I’m looking forward to trying it.
Um, whoa. I just read the title of this post and knew I needed the recipe. Brilliant combo!
Pumpkin. Enough said.
I too have been finding it difficult to keep up with my blog. Especially now that school is in full swing. What has started to work, and seems to be the general consensus, is working on drafts of posts and saving them for later. Lining them up so when you’re ultra busy there is always a back-up. Of course this is easier said than done!! I’m so amazed by those that post multiple times a week!! Cheers to all of you! I’m luck if I get 2 up… here’s to keeping up with blogging!
I’ve never tried pumpkin in chili before. I love pumpkin and I love chili, so I really think I need to try this! I’m going to turn orange this fall, I know it. I love all the orange foods of fall and I start to eat them a lot… my mom usually stops me before I get too dark though.
When life gets a little crazy I just blog a little bit when I can. Sometimes it takes more than a day to put together a post, but that’s okay. I also keep a notebook on me so that if I’m at the doctors office waiting or something then I can jot down ideas. Prewriting posts helps a lot too!
ohh I love the journal idea since inspiration can strike at any random moment.. thanks Tara!
great recipe!
blogging and balancing it all. i love blogging but i also view it like a role/responsibility too. i hesitate to say job, but sort of. I love it though. I wouldnt do it if i didnt love it. But there’s choices..tv or blog. Read a book or reply to my commenters. All…choices b/c there’s only so many hrs in the day.
Comment replies re getting the 35mm prime and liking it but a bit different adjusting to shooting w/ a prime lens…yes, i can see that.
I am really thinking of getting the 85mm f/1.2
or the 135 mm f/2 <– I think? can't recall
both L glass
but they are big$$ decisions and im still torn.
Are you able to go try them out at a camera shop to see how you like them? I know it’s limited to only use them for a couple minutes but maybe it’ll shock you how much you like on over the other. I’m sure either one (L glass) will be phenomenal but I’m sure it’s felt impossible to make such a decision!
Yes and that’s the problem..i HAVE tried them. They let me play with them for as long as i want or i could rent them for a day or two (that does get pricey though)
And they both have pros and cons. Lists a mile long for each lens, both pro and con. Oh decisions
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