If you’re looking for a great tasting chili, but want to go sans meat, then this is the chili you need to try. While the chili is entirely vegetarian, you wouldn’t know it by tasting it.

This goes great with nacho chips, naan bread (Naan Bread recipe here), crackers, or just by itself. You can eat it heated or cold; makes no difference, as it tastes great either way. So, without further ado…

Ingredients for chili What you Need:
1- Cup of lentils (rinsed)½ Cup of Quinoa (rinsed well)1- Onion (diced) (red for a sweeter taste or white for stronger taste)1- Bell pepper (any color, but I used red) 5- Carrots (peeled and diced. You can just slice them for a heartier texture) 3- Cloves garlic (or 1- Tbsp. minced) 2- Cans Black beans (rinsed) 1- Cup Frozen Corn 4- Cups Diced Tomatoes 5- Cups Vegetable broth 1 ½ Tbsp. Chili powder 2 ½ tsp. Cumin 1 tsp. Coriander 1 tsp. Oregano 1 Tbsp. Tomato paste Olive oil (for sautéing) Salt and Pepper   Putting it Together:

Rinsing the lentils:   Rinsing the lentilsPut lentils into a strainer and rinse well Remove any bad lentils or other non-lentil items Put into slow cooker  Rinsing the Quinoa:  Put quinoa in a bowl and add water Mix the quinoa with your fingers, making sure you rub them together (kind of like grinding them with your fingers) The picture below shows what the quinoa looks like during the first rinse... Quinoa on first rinsePour quinoa into a strainer  Quinoa being poured into strainerPour quinoa back into bowl, add water and repeat the process until the rinse water runs clear (this can take 10 or more times). The photo below shows how the water should look Quinoa after rinsingOnce the rinse water runs clear, put quinoa into slow cookerRinse and put black beans into slow cooker
[image error] Rinsing the black beans

Lentils, quinoa, and black beans in slow cooker  Now, the other stuff:  Quick note: You DO NOT have to sauté. You can skip the next 4 steps, put everything into the slow cooker mix well, and cook. However, by taking the extra 15 or so minutes and sautéing, you add another dimension of flavor to the dish.  Veggies diced and ready to goAdd olive oil to a large pan and heat Add onion (don’t forget to season me with salt and pepper) and sauté for about 3 minutes or until translucent Add garlic, carrots, bell pepper, coriander, and cumin. Sauté for an additional 3-5 minutes Add tomato paste and diced tomatoes, mix well. Sauté for 3-5 minutes Contents of pan being sautéedAdd contents of pan into slow cookerAdd oregano, chili powder, corn, and vegetable broth into slow cookerMix wellCook on low for 8 hours or until lentils and Quinoa are soft 
Vegetarian Slow Cooker Chili with Lentils and QuinoaEnjoy!