Mini Sweet Potato Chili with Cotija Other Cheese

Serves 5 in about 44 minutes. The pressure cooker brings ground beef turkey and corn tortillas together.

Ingredients

• ½ lb lean ground beef or turkey (97% lean)
• ½ small sweet onion, diced (or yellow)
• 1 large clove of garlic, minced (or 2 small)
• ½ 4 oz can of diced green chiles (mild or hot)
• 2 tsp chili powder
• 1 ½ tsp cumin
• ½ tsp mexican oregano (or regular)
• ¼ tsp thyme, dried
• ⅛ tsp chipotle chili powder (for heat & flavor)
• 1 tsp smoked paprika
• ¾ tsp kosher salt (or 1/2 tsp table salt)
• ¼ tsp pepper
• 1 14 oz can diced tomatoes, with juice
• 1 14 oz can tomato sauce
• 1 15 oz can red kidney beans (drained & rinsed)
• 1 ½ cups sweet potato, diced
• 1 small bay leaf
• ½ cup water
• Fresh avocado
• Crushed tortilla chips
• Sliced corn tortillas (in the chili, they will dissolve a little, yum!)
• Fresh cilantro leaves
• Cotija or other cheese

Method

1. Set the pot to the Sauté function (Normal/Med heat). When the display reads "Hot" add the ground beef (If using turkey, add 2 tsp olive oil first). Simmer until the meat is mostly done.
2. Stir in the onion, stir. Simmer until the onion starts to turn translucent.
3. Stir in the garlic, stir and cook for i instant, until it turns fragrant.
4. Stir in the green chiles, chili powder, cumin, oregano, thyme, chipotle chili powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Mix well.
5. Stir in the can of diced tomatoes with juice, stir.
6. Tip in the tomato sauce, kidney beans, sweet potato, bay leaf, and water. Mix well.
7. Leave it to contents come to a simmer, while stirring now and then.
8. Give one last stir, scraping the bottom of the pot, and close the lid. Lock it in place and set the steam release knob to Sealing.
9. Cancel the Sauté function. Press the 'Pressure Cook' button (Manual) and the + or - button to select 5 minutes.
10. Stay by the pot until it comes to pressure. Sometimes with chili it will start to count down the time, but won't come to pressure.
11. When the cook cycle ends, let the pot just sit and naturally release the pressure for 5 minutes. Then turn the steam release knob to the Venting position to release any remaining steam.
12. When the pin in the lid drops, Open and give it a stir. Lift out bay leaf.
13. Plate garnished, as chili is always better with great toppings!

More instant pot ideas are in the instant pot collection.