Cooking truly is a time for me to relax. When I’m not starving and feeling rushed (which happens more than I’d like to admit), I love to enjoy the process (take lots of pictures 
) and crank. up. the. tunes. Living alone I don’t have to feel self conscious, but if anyone where to walk in my house and see me, they’d surely burst out in laughter. While washing, mixing, or chopping you’ll find me busting a groove and singing along.
While making a delicious crock pot chili last night, I was jamming to 90’s music on Pandora. For me, this era of music brings back a lot of fun memories.
My friends and I wearing silk pajamas and lip synching to TLC’s Creep at a slumber party, or dressing up as the Spice Girls to bust a move to Spice Up Your Life.
While dancing put me in a good mood, this vegetarian chili also put a smile on my face! I am all for cooking in bulk. After eating this meal for dinner last night, I still have enough for 4 more meals! Thank goodness I don’t mind leftovers.
I am also happy to report that crock pot meals are back for the season. Say it with me…ahhh yeeeeaaahhhhh!
As if there weren’t an easier invention…just throw everything in a pot and let it do it’s thing. Glorious!
Three Bean Chili (from the Lazy Vegetarian)
Ingredients:
- 1 large onion, chopped
- 1 bell pepper (color of choice), chopped
- 2 garlic cloves, minced (or from a jar)
- One can (15.5 oz) each black beans, pinto beans, and kidney beans (rinsed)
- One 28 oz crushed tomatoes
- One small can tomato paste
- Chili powder, as desired (I used about 3 Tbsp)
- 1 cup water (can add more to adjust thickness)
- Ground pepper to taste
Directions:
Cook onion, pepper, and garlic in 1 tablespoon olive oil until softened.
Rinse beans.
Place softened veggies and the rest of ingredients in crock pot.
Stir. Cook for 6 – 8 hours.
This dish was delicious. It was still hearty enough that you didn’t even need to ask, “where’s the beef?”
I loved the flavor combination of all three beans as well. Thick and full of bold flavor.
Topped with a sprinkle of mozzarella. Check out that cheesy goodness.
I am off to a farewell party for a friend. Don’t plan on staying long since I got my bum up for 5 am spin. I already feel the yawns coming on.
Thanks so much for reading! 
What music brings back memories of childhood? Do you listen to music when you cook?
{ 23 comments… read them below or add one }
My friends and I have been jamming out to some old school Backstreet Boys lately…specifically “The Call” and “Larger Than Life”. CLASSIC.
And, yes, I listen to music when I cook, too! What else am I supposed to do during all that chopping and stirring?
That chili looks delish, btw. On my campus, vegan chili is always served at one of the dining halls on Tuesdays. It’s pretty awesome, so it’s not unusual for one of my friends to text out a mass “VEGAN CHILI DAY!” reminder to everyone, haha.
I too love music when I cook, you’re not alone in the dancing. This looks like a great recipe, I’m in the market for a new cock pot.
the chili looks awesome. I need to pull out my crockpot soon and make my life easier. I also turn up the music when cooking. I used to leave the Food Network on in the background, but now it’s always some cupcake war going on LOL.
Seriously this chili looks amazing and I think I just might have to give it a try. Especially since it can be made in a crock pot!
xo
Haha it sounds like me and you have VERY similar rituals when we cook. It makes it so much better! Chili looks really good! I’ve been all about my crock pot lately!
I just love crock pot recipes! I know I’ll be using it all winter.
YUM! I don’t think I ever listen to music while I cook. Since my apartment is pretty small I am usually watching something on tv while I cook. Works for me!
I usually try to listen to music! sometimes i forget. crock pot = best invention
um… where’s the beef ?
I am desperately trying to get my hubs on the veggie chili train. I’m also failing. This looks like one hell of a yummy start!!
Oh TLC and the silk pjs… the good old days
As long as the lyrics are singable, I’ll listen to anything while I cook.
So glad you know what I’m talking about!!
I think back about what big nerds my friends and I were. So much fun though.
Mmm that chili sure does look yummy!
I love chili and especially in the crock pot. I love entering the house to those devine smells after it’s been cooking all day, especially when it’s cold out!
And I totally listen pandora while cooking away
Kylie Minogue and Jack Johnson are favs right now.
P.s I went to a friends bday party in elementary school dressed as Sporty Spice. We even had a Spice Girls dance off!
yum!
I am going to try this, I made my first slow cooker (that’s what we call crock pots here in the UK) recipe this week, and it was lovely to come home to a great meal as it was a cold autumn day.
Thanks for the recipe
Mel x
Cooking is definitely my chill time! Sometimes I listen to music…but sometimes not (yesterday I had Jeopardy on tv in the background).
Great recipe!! I LOVE using my crockpot!
I just pinned this so I could remember to make it! Crockpot meals are my favorite winter dinners!
So glad you stopped by!! Isn’t pinterest the best!
That chilli looks so good!
I usually dont listen to music when I cook, but I might sometime!
ahhh yeeeeaaahhhhh! I’m right there with ya!
The chili looks great – thanks for posting.
Love cooking time as well. It’s so de-stressing.
Veggie chili is so awesome. Have you tried a little unsweetened cocoa powder in your chili? I promise, it’s amazing.
That sounds delicious! I’m gonna have to try it out.
Thanks!
Half of the time, cooking is relaxing (if wine is involved) and half of the time, stimulating…that creative portion, the risk of adding your own flavors, and sensing what you’d like.
I AM UBER excited crock pot is back. I am wanting to crock pot pork, cranberries and apples this weekend!
I love making chili in the crockpot!!!
I love listening to music while cooking, but for some reason I hardly do… Have to change that!
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