Wild Mushroom Chili (What Makes Chili Chili?) and Party Poopers

Thanks for all the good wishes for my upcoming journey! It is cold, snowy and icy here, and windy enough that our thermometer blew off the wall and our heaviest ladder blew down. But as far as I know, we are not in line to get overly pounded by the forecast superstorm down here. I put out the hope that everyone up in Nome will be safe.

Huge storms like this, and the smaller ones last week, with their power outages and downed trees, are a reminder not to take anything for granted. Planning makes life so much more manageable for me, but so much of planning assumes that things are going to go a certain way, which they may not. I intend to remember that this upcoming week, as I prepare to travel away from here, with the long, sometimes treacherous drive to Anchorage and a couple of tricky flight connections to make.

Speaking of changing plans, Phil and I were headed to a party on Sunday night. It was the 'Chili Cook-Off' party, and I was pretty proud of my creation. We arrived, and Phil took one look at all the cars parked around the house, on the street, down the next street, and turned the truck around and drove us back home!


Party poopers? Maybe, although probably no one missed us, there were that many people there. Introverts? Well, I certainly am. Phil wouldn't ordinarily answer to that description, but he has a streak of it.
Noise-phobes? Why, yes indeed. A major deterrent was the thought that we wouldn't be able to hear anything that anyone said in a throng that size. Phil also remarked that the home in question only had one bathroom, which would likely be permanently tied up. I was surprised that he thought of that, but it was a good point.

I was slightly disappointed, and I was upset about the unnecessary gas consumption from driving. But I was also soon glad to have the evening clear to get some work done. And I'm grateful for the encouragement: I wouldn't have made this chili without the prompting, and I think it's a good one!

Honestly, though, it may not really be a "chili" as most people think of it. I wasn't raised with chili, so I don't have a stereotype of it in my mind. To me, this is chili because it utilized lots of chili powder and beans. Not it? OK. But it was really good, whatever you want to call it.

Wild Mushroom Chili (or What You Will)

1 cup dried wild mushrooms soaked in two cups boiling water

1 tablespoon coconut oil
1 onion, chopped
3-4 cloves garlic, minced
1 inch ginger, minced

2 teaspoons chili powder

1 tablespoon crushed chilis

1 teaspoon cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 tablespoon black pepper

2 cups cooked pinto beans (or one can)

1 cup cooked adzuki beans

2 cups mixed vegetables

While the mushrooms are soaking in the water, saute the onion and garlic in the coconut oil, and add the ginger and spices. 

Put the mushrooms and water in the crockpot with the beans. 

When the onions are translucent, add the onion mixture to the crockpot. 

Cook on low for 3-4 hours

Add the mixed vegetables and cook for another hour.

It feels funny to me to be using mixed frozen vegetables--it seems like such a shortcut. But it is winter here.

When we got home from our snowy abortive ride to the party, this was delicious and warming. The wild mushrooms give it a great texture and flavor. 

Have you ever left a party before you even arrived?