Spicy Vegetarian Chili

I made this chili for New Year’s Day to eat during the football game. I cooked it on the stove and placed in crock pot to keep warm. I used white and black beans instead of kidney. It was a great hit! You know it is popular when folks want the recipe.

this was amazing! My “I hate beans and love all meats” husband had some right before I added the beans, our 15 month old daughter couldn’t get enough, and this vegetarian was in love! I cannot wait to make this again and even trick some of my “healthy food/food without meat is gross” family into loving this at the next big family meal. :) Thank you!

This is sort of a chili-flavored ratatouille — with beans — and it’s delicious. I added crimini mushrooms cut into a small dice to give a more earthy flavor and meatier texture. I roasted the eggplant in a loose aluminum foil envelope so cleanup was quick (dusted the eggplant with thyme before roasting). Timing is perfect , as the eggplant is ready just when you’re ready to add it to the pot. Taste before adding the sugar– you may not need it. Dried and fresh oregano are so different they might as well be different herbs. To my taste this is definitely a dried oregano dish. As someone mentioned, it will look nothing like that staged photo, but it is bright and appetizing nonetheless. I think it would be good with butternut squash added, or with a good balsamic substituted for the lemon juice.

I love this recipe, and unlike most recipes I find online, it doesn’t have to be doctored to work – it’s perfect the way it is. I’ve been making this chili three or four times each winter for the past couple of years, and it never fails to make my dinner guests very, very happy. My single alteration: I roast the eggplant with chopped fresh rosemary, mostly because I like the smell. :)

I love this, and have made it twice this winter. I wanted more a soup so added a couple cans of water along with the tomatoes. I also omitted the eggplant (that was just pure laziness on my part!), and used black rather than white beans. Turns out terrific, with the perfect amount of spice.

Elise need make no apologies for calling this delicious “meaty” dish chili! I made it last night and could not stop eating it! It is simply delicious! The lemon juice and cilantro at the end make the veggies bright and fresh and the chili powder, cumin and fennel bring smoky depth. This is comfort food at it’s best without the guilt. I toasted the spices in the dry pot before starting the oil for the onions and I added some spicy salsa and Siracha at the end because I failed to make it spicy enough. Next time, I will have extra jalapenos and chili powder available. I HIGHLY recommend this recipe.

I have made this recipe many times, and just LOVE it! Great healthy break from meat. Even the kids enjoy it. Thanks Elise!

I made this chili for a party and it was gone so fast I barely had a chance to take a bite. It was wonderful! I don’t care what those Texans say, as a vegetable fanatic, I think this chili is the best. I’m thinking of making it tonight but adding some black beans and maybe a little bit more spice.

I highly recommend this chili recipe. It is an excellent alternative for those like my wife and daughter who, while not vegetarians, don’t like a lot of red meat. I loved it myself, but I am always up for a big pot of meaty chili like the Chili Con Carne on this blog.

Another wonderful recipe and I am So grateful ! We made last night ( we are catholics and even though it is not mandatory any more we don’t eat meat on fridays) My brand new daughter- in -law loved it and I served it with homemade soda bread bread followed by my own sour cherry pie. Thank-you to Elise and family !