Tag Archives: chili

Mellow Vegetarian Chili

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vegetarian chili with carrots, black beans, poblano peppers, topped with cheddar cheese and pickled jalapenos

It’s mellow because most of my customers don’t want things to be “too spicy”. It’s vegetarian but doesn’t have a ton of beans because as I have noted before, I don’t like that many beans. It works. There is enough layered spices and different kinds of not so hot peppers to add flavor. Thick and satisfying without being filling. Garnish it up with whatever you like: shredded cheddar, sour cream, cilantro, avocado, crushed tortilla chips and if you want to add the spice like I do, add a heaping helping of pickled jalapenos.

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Mellow Vegetarian Chili

2 poblano peppers

2 tablespoons vegetable oil

3 garlic cloves, minced

1 medium sized onion, chopped

salt and pepper

1 bunch scallions, chopped

1 red pepper, diced

1 cup chopped carrots

1 cup chopped celery

1 cup chopped mushrooms

3/4 cup black or green olives, chopped

2 tablespoons olive juice

1 14.5 oz. can diced tomotoes

1 4 oz. can mild green chilis

1 32 oz. can tomato puree

1 small can tomato paste

1 15 oz. can black beans, rinsed and drained

1 12 oz. can lager ( I used Coors Light)

1 cup vegetable broth

1/2 teaspoon cumin

1 pinch cayenne pepper

2 tablespoons chili powder

Blacken skins of poblano peppers under a broiler or directly on the flame of a gas stove burner. Place peppers in a bowl and cover tightly with plastic wrap. Let rest for 15 minutes. Remove and scrape off charred skin. Remove stem and seeds from peppers and chop. Set aside.

Heat oil in a large soup pot over medium high heat. Add garlic and onions. Season with salt and pepper. Heat until onions begin to soften, about 5 minutes. Add poblano peppers, scallions, red pepper, carrots and celery. Continue to cook until red pepper, carrots and celery are crisp/tender. Season with salt and pepper. Add mushrooms, olives and olive juice (from jar). Cook for 5 minutes. Add all remaining ingredients and stir well to combine. Bring chili to a boil and reduce heat to low. Simmer uncovered for one hour.

Serve with shredded cheddar cheese, sour cream, tortilla chips, lime wedges, jalapeno slices or whatever makes you happy.

Chicken and White Bean Chili with Green Onion and Parmesan Crostini

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White bean chili with chicken sausage and parmesan crostini

If you are looking for a hearty soup that is not too heavy, this one is the perfect solution to your problem.  Browned ground chicken and onions with all the spices you love in a good, stick to your ribs chili.  Cannellini beans and Swiss chard give this soup and Italian twist.  Top it off with some freshly grated Parmesan cheese and chopped parsley.  An untraditional crostini with green onions, chive, cream cheese and more Parmesan bring it all together into a satisfying meal.

The first time I made this was in 2012 when I saw an episode of Giada De Laurentiiis’ cooking show on the Food Network at that time.  She also served it with a crostini but I cannot seem to find that recipe, so I had to riff on it, instead.  Everytime I make this easy to put together soup and bread combination, I get rave reviews.  I should take this one out more often!

Chicken and White Bean Chili

(serves about 6)

(adapted from White Bean and Chicken Chili by Giada De Laurentiis, 2012)

2 tablespoons olive oil

1 large onion, diced

4 garlic cloves, minced

2 pounds ground chicken or turkey or a combination

1 teaspoon salt, plus more for seasoning

1 tablespoon cumin

1 tablespoon dried oregano

3 teaspoons chili powder

3 tablepsoons flour

2 (15 oz. cans) cannellini beans, rinsed and drained

1 bunch (about 1 pound) swiss chard, stems removed, chopped to 1 inch pieces

1 1/2 cups frozen corn

4 cups chicken broth

1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper

black pepper

Parmesan cheese

chopped parsley

In a large pot, heat oil over medium high heat.  Add the onion and cook until softened, about 5 minutes.  Add garlic and cook about 30 seconds.  Add the ground meat, 1 teaspoon salt, cumin, oregano, and chili powder.  Cook, stirring frequently until the meat is browned and cooked through about 8-10 minutes.  Stir the flour into the meat mixture.  Add the beans, Swiss chard, corn and chicken stock.  Bring mixture to a simmer, scraping any browned bits from the bottom of the pot.  Simmer for about 50-60 minutes until liquid reduces and the chili is thickened.  Add the red pepper flakes, taste for seasoning and simmer for another 10 minutes.  Serve with Parmesan cheese and parsley.

Green Onion and Parmesan Crostini

1 (8 oz block) cream cheese, softened

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/8 teaspoon black pepper

4 green onions, diced

2 tablespoons chopped chives

12 slices baguette, on the diagonal for more surface area

1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Preheat boiler in oven.  In a small bowl, mix cream cheese, salt, pepper, green onions and chives.  Spread mixture on one side of each slice of bread.  Place bread on a cookie sheet.  Sprinkle each slice with Parmesan cheese, making sure it adheres to cream cheese mixture.  Broil bread slices for 2-4 minutes until cheese melts and turns brown on edges.  Allow to cool for 5 minutes before serving.