This is vegan chili:
...This is not:
That delicious dollop of sour cream is so powerful!! It changes EVERYTHING!
Chili is like cornbread. Rules exist about chili rights and wrongs. No beans. No this. No that. People are super picky and sentimental about the stuff. And, I mean...I get it. I do.
SO...
Before I begin, let me say this: If you're from Texas, and this chili offends you, I'm sorry. I love everything Texas. I really do.
Friday Night Lights is the best show to ever grace our TV screens. (Yeah, I said it.)
I've been wanting to take a road trip to Marfa and sleep in one of those hipster tee-pees for I dunno how long.
Migas might be one of my favorite breakfast dishes ever...(next to pancakes, obvi).
And despite El Paso being the scariest city in the country, when I drive across Texas, I still pass through.
This pot of simmering deliciousness destroys every chili rule in the book.
There's veggies: orange bell peppers, zucchini, red bell peppers, corn and onions and garlic.
And there's beans: cannellini and kidney. Lots of spices. A little jalapeno. Vegetable broth.
There's a little simmer action...
..And then boom! Flavor central.
This vegan chili packs killer flavor like no other; it's spicy, earthy, hearty...all while not weighing you down.
Totally perfect for those nights when you want something warm and cozy but still healthy and light...
And its springiness comes in handy when you pair it with some cheesy cheddar jalapeno cornbread...
Not to worry! I'll show you that next time!
Spicy Vegan Chili
Adapted from Simply Recipes
3 tablespoon olive oil
½ medium yellow onion, diced
1 red bell pepper, diced
1 yellow bell pepper, diced
2 small zucchini, diced
1 jalapeno pepper, diced (I like spiciness so I used 2)
3 garlic cloves, minced
1 28-ounce can crushed tomatoes
1 ½ cup of vegetable stock
2 tablespoons of cumin
1 teaspoon oregano
1 tablespoon paprika
½ teaspoon of cayenne
1 15-ounce can cannellini beans, rinsed
1 15-ounce can kidney beans, rinsed
1 ear of corn
In a large pot, heat olive oil on medium heat. Add the onions and cook until translucent, about 4 minutes. Add the red bell peppers, yellow bell peppers, zucchini, and jalapeño chili peppers. Cook for about 5 more minutes, stirring occasionally. Add the garlic and cook until fragrant, about a minute more.
Add the tomatoes to the pot along with the vegetable stock. Add oregano, paprika, and cumin. Add cayenne to desired heat and cook, at a simmer, for 20 minutes.
Add the white beans and kidney beans. Stir in the corn. Add salt and freshly ground pepper to taste. Simmer for 5 minutes.
Serve with sour cream and some chopped chives.
Serves 4-6
Tara @ Chip Chip Hooray says
Ohhh yum, this is exactly the sort of chili recipe I've been looking for--especially now that the temperatures are dropping here! I can't wait to make this, classic or no. 🙂
Bev Weidner says
Please tell me you plan on setting up a little diving board at the edge of that pot. I'm putting on my bathing suit NOW.
DessertForTwo says
This Texan forgives you for putting beans in chili. You have been healed, my child 😉
Secretly, I would devour this!
dana @ my little celebration says
I've never made vegan chili, only vegan black bean soup. But this looks delish! And i love that it's spicy. Spicy foods are myfave.
Jill says
Looks fantastic- I've been looking for a hearty veggie version (my husband doesn't understand chili without meat!). Thank's for posting 🙂
Dana says
Your chili sounds looks remarkably similar to what I had for dinner last night; zucchini and all! A vegan friend and I made chili together. It's not what I would consider a classic chili, but darn it is tasty.
Hilliary@HappilyEverHealthy says
This sounds delicious! I don;t like ground beef so this is a great alternative for me! I cannot wait for the weather to cool back down to try this!
fashionablecollections says
oo that looks yummy.
Belt Giveaway
Blog is the New Black says
Looks amazing! I made a vegan chili this weekend, too... wonderful!
Kathryn says
I love meals that contain a load of vegetables without compromising on flavour - looks awesome.
Joana says
I wish it were cold in here (Portugal), so that I could make some chilli and not sweat. I can't wait for the actual start of the fall and winter.
Greenderella says
I agree with Katrina - looks like the perfect comfort food for colder days! *bookmarked* and thanks for sharing. 🙂
Jessica @ How Sweet says
love the sound of this chili... it would be perfect right now considering it is in the 40s here. blah!
Katrina says
This sounds lovely! I think this is perfect for the colder weather we're having here in Ottawa. Brrrr.
online parenting class says
that looks really yummy!:D