VEGETARIAN CHILI

It was wonderful weekend but I did not cook much, I am still in the process of screwing and fixing things in our new Place.  So I thought of posting  yummy and flavorful dish which was lying in my draft for so long.  " Vegetarian Chili " which has wonderful flavor that runs around in a single pot.  There are several ways you can have this  chili, please scroll down to know more about the serving suggestions.  Before we go for the recipe and virtual treat.  Here is a brief about Vegetarian Chili.

Chili con carne (literally "Chili with meat", often known simply as chili) is a spicy stew. The name "chili con carne" is taken from Spanish, and means "peppers with meat." Traditional versions are made, minimally, from chili peppers, garlic, onions, and cumin, along with chopped or ground beef. Beans and tomatoes are frequently included.  But since we are Vegetarian here is the Veggie version which is called as Vegetarian chili (also known as chili sin carne, chili without meat, or chili).  To make the chili vegetarian, the cook leaves out the meat or replaces it with a meat analogue, such as textured vegetable protein or tofu, or a complementary vegetable, such as potatoes. These chili's nearly always include beans. Variants may contain corn, squash, mushrooms, potatoes etc.. We have to say this is completely one pot meal rich in protein and very flavorful.  This tastes so so good the next day too.  Here goes the recipe and the virtual treat.........


VEGETARIAN CHILI

Ingredients :
 
Meatless ground - 1 packet ( This is nothing but the soy granules which is cooked already)
If you don't have this just soak 1 1/2 cup of soy granules in hot water for few minutes then drain and squeeze out the excess water, now its ready for making the dish.
Tomato diced - 1 can
Beans of your choice - 1 cup ( I added 1/2 cup of black bean and 1/2 cup of pinto bean)
Peppers diced - 1 cup ( Green, Yellow and Red)
Corn Nibblets - 1/2 cup
Zucchini - 1/2 cup diced
Mushroom - 1/2 chopped finely( Crimini mushroom works great for this)
Onion - 1/4 cup finely chopped
Garlic - 3 flakes very finely chopped
Chilli powder - 1 tbsp (According to your spice level)
Paprika - 1/2 tbsp
Cummin Powder - 1/4 tbsp
Vegetable stock - 1/2 cup( optional)
Mixed Italian dried herbs - 1 tsp crushed
Bay leaf - 1
Canola or Olive oil  as required
Cilantro for garnishing
Sour cream or Mexican cheese - As required for serving

 

Method :
 
1. Heat oil in the deep pan.  Add the bay leaf, followed by crushed garlic and chopped onion.
2. Saute and then add the Squash, Mushroom and Peppers, drained and squeezed soy granules or the readily cooked meatless ground.
3. Just saute for a while and then add corn and beans.  Now add the seasonings cummin, Chilli powder, Paprika, Herbs seasoning.
4. Add the Tomato diced in the can followed by the vegetable stock and  1 glass of water.
5.Now in this stage the consistency will be lose, simmer the flame and this has to sit for at least half an hour.
6.This simmering is very very important, the flavors are nicely absorbed or incorporated in the soy protein, veggies and the bean.
7. Once the water and stock are absorbed but not full.  The consistency has to be semi solid.
8.Put of the flame, serve in the bowl with a dollop of sour cream or cheese with fresh cilantro.

  

Serving suggestion :

1. You can serve this hot chili in bowl with sour cream and cilantro.  Along with Tortilla chips and Guacamole.
2. You can use this for filling the Tacos.
3. Filling for hot dog buns, slit the bun add some chilli and cheese broil until the cheese melts.
4. Use as filling for sandwich.
5. Topping for Pizza and top it with cheese and bake until cheese melts.

 

VEGETARIAN CHILI WITH TACOS

 

Ingredients :

Tacos shells

Vegetarian chili
Lettuce
Peppers julienned
Cilantro
Sour cream
Olive (optional)
Guacamole
Mexican cheese or your choice

 
Method :

Warm the tacos in the oven, add the chili followed by other ingredients and enjoy !!!

 

GUACAMOLE

This is other version II.  Here is another version of GUACAMOLE in my mexican feast.

Ingredients :

Avocado - 1 mashed
Jalapeno - 1/2 chopped very finely
Lemon juice - 1/4 tbsp
Garlic - 1/2 crushed finely
Cilantro - 2 tbsp chopped finely
Salt

Method :

Mix all the above ingredients and serve as dip or filling.