One of the things I love most about Sundays besides pumpkin protein pancakes and oatmeal pumpkin pancakes, is come 4pm blasting some music (usually Today’s Country Radio on Pandora unless I’m feeling too sassy for some twang), pouring myself a glass of wine and starting to cook.

Sundays mean plenty of time in the kitchen without any pressure to get dinner on the table by a certain time, no workouts hanging over my head and Brad Paisley singing to me to “remind him” (Oh, Brad I wish I could, believe me.)

That’s what last Sunday was like.

This Sunday, I’m spending my entire day in a freezing hotel conference room listening to sessions on elevators, green waste recovery and fuel cell technology. Scintillating, no?

Let’s talk about last Sunday instead.

While Brad crooned, (I try to drown out Carrie) this vegetable packed barley chili bubbled away on the stove.

There’s really nothing like a good spicy chili on a fall day. Turkey hummus chili would’ve also fit the bill.

The best part about chili is the fact that it tastes even better after a day or so.

Any leftover that tastes better than the original is a win in my book.

The key to the spiciness is in these bad boys.

I think the first time I heard of chipotle chilis in adobo sauce I was watching a Rachael Ray 30 minute meal episode.

I was intrigued and bought them the next time I was in the grocery store, used about 5 in the next chili recipe I made and nearly spit out the first spoonful that touched my lips.

These things are HOT! 5 is about 4 too many in a chili recipe FYI.

My dad will probably cringe at the fact that there’s no meat in this chili but the barley gives it plenty of volume and staying power that dare I say the meat isn’t even missed?

Topped with some sharp cheddar cheese, there’s really not much else that’s better on a cozy fall Sunday night.

So, blast some music, drink up and spend some time in your kitchen today, ok? I wish I was.

Need some more ideas of how to enjoy barley? Try this barley summer salad or this barley beet and goat cheese salad. It’s such a delicious grain!