Meatless Mission Chili

spatchcock's Note:

This is an adopted recipe that I've not yet had the chance to try. I have made similar vegetarian chilis before, and feel comfortable recommending it especially considerng the extant reviews, but would love more feedback from anyone else who might get to it before I do. Thanks!

• Total Time: 50 mins
• Prep Time: 5 mins
• Cook Time: 45 mins

Ingredients:

Servings: 4

• 2 tablespoons safflower oil
• 1 garlic clove, minced
• 1 green bell pepper, chopped
• 1 stalk celery, chopped
• 1 onion, chopped (1/4 cup)
• 1 carrot, shredded
• 1 medium zucchini, shredded
• 1 (18 ounce) can tomatoes with juice
• 1 (15 ounce) can kidney beans, drained
• 1 (8 ounce) can tomato sauce, 1 cup
• 1/4 cup water
• 1 1/2 teaspoons chili powder
• 1/4 teaspoon hot pepper sauce, to taste
• 1 teaspoon basil
• 1 teaspoon oregano
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper

Directions:

1. GARNISH: corn, chopped scallions, shredded Cheddar or Monterey jack cheese, or a combination, optional.
2. In a Dutch oven or 4-5 qt saucepan, heat oil.
3. Saute garlic, green pepper, celery, onion, carrot, and zucchini until crisp/tender, about 3 minutes.
4. As mixture cooks, stir in remaining ingredients.
5. Bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce heat to medium.
6. Cover and cook until heated through, about 5 minutes.
7. Top each serving with a garnish, if desired.
8. If you wish, set under broiler to melt cheese.
9. VARIATIONS: - add 1/2 cup whole raw cashews If reheating, add addt'l liquid, such as water, tomato juice, or veg stock.

Reviews

[princessbride029]

YUM, YUM, YUM!!!! This is still bubbling on the stove, waiting for the cornbread to finish baking, and I think I've eaten half of it from the pot! I love the mix of seasonings! I had to omit the bell pepper and the zucchini because I don't have them today, and I also used a can of Rotel tomatoes with lime and cilantro since that's what I had. The rest of the mix I followed exactly, and BOY is it delicious! So easy, too, and uses ingredients I *almost* always have on hand. Thanks for this great meatless option! We'll be making this often this fall. :)

[earthmama77]

This was amazing chili! I doubled it so I'd have leftovers and am wishing now that I had made more. A couple of changes: I used olive oil instead of safflower, red & yellow bell peppers instead of green, and fresh tomatoes instead of canned. I didn't add the hot sauce and only 1 out of 3 people eating added it. Yum!

[C.Luna]

I really enjoyed this recipe. I used pinto beans, because that was what I had on hand, and topped it with sharp cheddar. Very good.