There’s the creamy texture of pinto beans and sweet potatoes, and the fresh crunch of corn kernels. We like to finish with a splash of Cholula hot sauce for heat and acidity. But it wouldn’t be chili without shredded cheddar cheese dissolving into the hot stew. Cook, relax and enjoy!

What you’ll need:

0.25 oz dried mixed mushrooms
1 onion
3 garlic cloves
1 corn on the cob
1 sweet potato
1 teaspoon chili powder
½ teaspoon ground cumin
1 ½ tablespoons tomato paste
15-ounce can pinto beans
2 oz cheddar cheese
Cholula
neutral oil, such as vegetable or safflower
coarse salt
freshly ground black pepper

Equipment:

box grater
small saucepan or kettle
large pot
strainer

Recipe steps:

1. Rehydrate mushrooms

   Bring ½ cup water to a boil. Add dried mushrooms and let steep.

2. Prep vegetables

   Peel and finely chop onion and garlic. Cut kernels from corn cobs. Peel sweet potato and cut into ½-inch pieces. Grate cheese and set aside.

3. Sauté aromatics

   Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Add onion and garlic and sauté until translucent, about 3 minutes.

4. Add vegetables

   Add corn and sweet potato and 1½ teaspoons of salt and sauté for 3 minutes.

5. Add spices

   Add chili powder, cumin and tomato paste and sauté for 1 minute.

6. Stir in beans and water

   Strain mushrooms, and add mushroom liquid with 2 cups water to the chili. Drain and rinse beans. Chop mushrooms and stir into chili with beans. Simmer for 20 minutes. Ladle chili into bowls, and garnish with cheese and hot sauce, if desired. Enjoy!