Every Halloween from the time I can remember, my mom always made our family a big batch of chili and cornbread. We ate it feverishly anticipating a fun night of trick or treating. Now that I have a family of my own, I continue this tradition with a few simple twists: I make paleo chili. I leave out the beans and the corn and I load it up with veggies.

For this Halloween, I added onion, bell peppers, summer squash and zucchini. I don’t know about you but I can’t even think about eating chili without mega-toppings. I topped mine with diced avocado, diced tomato and cilantro. My husband also loaded his paleo chili with organic shredded cheese. Diced white onion is a good option too. It’s a nice hearty meal that is perfect before going out on a cold night.

I paired mine with a simple pan of Pamela’s Gluten Free Cornbread Mix. It’s delicious and easy. No, it’s not paleo. So go ahead and omit this if it’s not for you. For us it’s a treat and I pile it up with kerrygold butter and honey.

The best part about chili is that it is so versatile. If you are vegetarian, you can add beans instead of meat. Or you can add beans and meat. You can add corn or various other veggies and it will still taste delicious. It’s hard to mess this one up!

Quick Nutrition Hack

Leave your minced garlic out for 10 minutes before cooking to increase it’s cancer fighting properties significantly. During this time the maximum amount of the antioxidant allicin is created and then you won’t have to worry about loosing it’s medicinal value.

If you cook garlic immediately after peeling it, a heat sensitive compound is destroyed which is needed to create this important antioxidant. Take a look at all the health benefits of garlic. Most of which are destroyed if you cook it right after mincing. So just remember “press, then rest” and you are good to go.

Health Benefits of Garlic

Reduced risk of lung cancer
Shown to kill some types of brain cancer cells
Reduces the risk of osteoarthritis
A powerful antibiotic, shown to be 100x more powerful than 2 popular antibiotics
Protects the heart from cardiomyopathy
Reduces cholesterol
Reduces blood pressure
Protective against prostate cancer
Reduces the oxidative stress of drinking alcohol
Eating garlic is associated with a reduced risk of preterm delivery
Reduces the frequency of the common cold
Anti-fungal

To learn more about how to select, store and prepare some of your favorite foods to get 100x the nutrient value out of them, click here.

Do you have a Halloween tradition? If so, let me know in the comments. And let me know what toppings are your favorite on this delicious paleo chili recipe!

The Best Paleo Chili Ever

A simple, delicious hearty meal that is 100% healthy and paleo friendly

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Course Soup

Servings 6 people

Ingredients

2 lb grass fed and grass finished beef
6 cloves garlic, minced let it sit out 10 minutes before heating to increase it's anti cancer compounds
1 onion diced
12 oz tomato sauce
12 oz crushed or diced tomatoes
2 small zucchini, diced
2 small summer squash, diced
2 green bell peppers, diced
2 colored bell peppers, diced
2 cups beef broth check ingredients for gluten, sugar and preservatives

Seasonings (adjust to taste)

1 tsp salt
1 tsp cumin
1 tbs ancho chile powder
1 tsp garlic powder
2 bay leaves

Toppings (optional)

shredded cheese
chopped cilantro
diced avocado
diced fresh tomato

Instructions

Sautee meat with garlic and onion until browned and onion softened (in a large stockpot over medium high heat). Break up the meat with a spatula as it cooks.
Add bell pepper and other veggies. Cook a few minutes longer.
Add tomato sauce and crushed tomatoes and broth. Add seasonings (start with 1/2tsp and increase to your desired liking.) Stir well.
Let simmer 20-30 minutes or until veggies are tender and flavors have blended. Taste and adjust seasonings as needed. Serve hot with toppings.

Keyword chili