Chili is not one of my preferred menu items but many of the children like it so we currently have chili buns once every four weeks.
Lately the children seem to be growing tired of some of the menu items including chili buns so I’ve been going through my recpies with the intention of changing a few of the menu items.
I came across a quinoa chili recipe and decided to try it to see if the children like it better than the regular chili. It starts with a whole lot of vegetables;
Carrots, onions, peppers (red, green and jalapeno), and zucchini sauted together. Then crushed tomatoes, frozen corn, garlic, cooked quinoa, two cans of beans and some spices (salt, pepper, cumin, and chili powder) are added.
Simmer — Mmmm smells good.
For the preschoolers I cut the buns into cubes before topping with chili — easier to eat that way. Then cheddar cheese is sprinkled on top.
I found the quinoa chili was not as saucy as the regular chili so the buns didn’t soak up the chili as well. The children still seemed to enjoy it but no one wanted seconds and I have far too much leftover chili. Good thing I like quinoa chili better than beef chili.
Still, I think that it may be time to remove chili buns from the menu.
Cheryl's Child Care 
Hi Cheryl,
This looks so good!!! I love chili and I also love quinoa, but have not combined both together. Can you post the recipe!
Thank you.
Sandy
I don’t usually measure ingredients when I cook but I can give you a rough idea of the amounts: 1 green pepper, 1 red pepper, 1 jalapeno pepper, 1 onion, 1 zucchini, and 2 carrots all diced and then sauted in olive oil until softened. Add one 28 oz can of crushed tomatoes, two 19 oz cans of mixed beans (you can use kidney beans or any other kind you prefer – I just like the variety in the mixed beans), 1 cup frozen corn, cooked quinoa (1 cup raw + 2 cups water), 2 tsp garlic (minced kind from a jar), 1 tbsp chili powder, 1 tbsp ground cumin, salt & pepper to taste. I simmer it for several hours because I prepare it before the children arrive in the morning and we have it for lunch – it doesn’t need to simmer for more than about 30 min.