Lentil Chili with Avocado Cubes

Serves 8 in about 1 hour. The pressure cooker brings ground beef ground and sour cream together.

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
• 1 pound lean ground beef or ground turkey (optional)
• 1 yellow onion, chopped
• 1 green bell pepper, chopped
• 2 carrots, chopped
• 2 ribs celery, chopped
• 1 bay leaf
• 4 cups vegetable broth, or low sodium chicken broth
• 1½ cups dry brown lentils, rinsed, picked through, and drained
• 1 28-ounce can crushed tomatoes
• 1½ tablespoons chili powder* (see notes)
• 2 teaspoons ground cumin
• 2 teaspoons garlic powder
• ½ teaspoon onion powder
• 1 teaspoon oregano
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt (or ½ teaspoon table salt)
• ½ teaspoon black pepper
• Grated cheddar cheese
• Chopped green onion
• Chopped cilantro
• Sour cream
• Avocado, in small cubes
• Lentils: chickpeas
• Chili powder: cumin, and garlic powder: taco seasoning

Method

1. Select the sauté setting on the pot. Once the pot is hot add the meat, if using, and brown it, breaking it up and while stirring now and then as you cook it. Then add the onion, bell pepper, carrots, celery, and bay leaf. Simmer for 5 minutes or until the vegetables are softened.
2. If not using meat, select the sauté setting on the pot. Once the pot is hot add the oil, onion, bell pepper, carrots, celery, and bay leaf. Simmer for 5 minutes or until the vegetables are softened.
3. Cancel the sauté mode, add the rest of the ingredients, stir, close the lid, and turn the valve to sealing position.
4. Press the Pressure Cook/Manual button or dial, then the +/- button or dial to select 10 minutes. High Pressure. The pot will take several minutes to come to pressure.
5. When the cook cycle has finished, turn off the pot and let it sit undisturbed for 10 minutes (10 instant natural release). Then turn the steam release knob to the Venting position to release the remaining steam/pressure.
6. Taste and adjust salt, if you want it. Garnish with the topping of your choice and serve.

More instant pot ideas are in the instant pot collection.