Vegetarian Chili - Won't-Even-Miss-the-Meat Chili

When I first developed my recipe for meatless chili many years ago during one of my vegetarian periods, I just called it Vegetarian Chili. But when a meat-loving friend who had expressed his doubts that it could possibly be any good at all declared it delicious and said he didn’t even miss the meat, I renamed it Won’t-Even-Miss-the-Meat Chili.

A big pot of chili is great for feeding a crowd. Set up a chili bar where guests can choose their favorite garnishes. Offer guacamole or diced avocado, sour cream, shredded Cheddar and Jack cheese, sliced black olives, diced onion, sliced green onion, shredded cabbage or iceberg lettuce, cilantro, lime wedges and thinly sliced radishes.

If you’re not vegetarian, you could even add shredded beef to your chili bar for the die-hard carnivores. But when I was a vegetarian, this was the one dish I could count on to satisfy even the most carnivorous of my friends! No longer vegetarian, I still enjoy meatless meals often. Just add a salad (maybe this Broccoli Salad) and some Cornbread, and you’re all set.

You can use info from my Slow Cooker Pinto Bean post to adapt this recipe for the slow cooker. 

(I'm using just a single old photo I have of this dish because I'm taking a break this week and not cooking or taking photos! Next time I make it, I'll add a much better photo to the post!)

Vegetarian Chili - Won’t-Even-Miss-the-Meat Chili

(Makes twelve 1 1/2-cup servings)

The Beans

2 pounds dry red kidney beans

10 cups water
1 1/2 teaspoons salt

The Sauce

2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1 cup chopped onion (1 large)
1 cup chopped celery (2 large stalks)
1 cup chopped green bell pepper (1 large)
1 6-ounce can tomato paste
2 tablespoons dried ground chiles
2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce (soy sauce if you're vegan or vegetarian)
1 teaspoon cumin
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon coarsely ground black pepper
1/4 teaspoon dried oregano
1/8 teaspoon crushed red pepper (to start!)
1 29-ounce can diced tomatoes (I use Muir Glen Organic Fire Roasted)

1 Wash beans in cold water. Put beans and water in a 6- or 7-quart pot. Soak beans at least 5 hours or overnight. Drain off soaking liquid and add 10 cups of fresh water. (I'm so precise about the water because we're going to add the sauce to the beans, so I don't want the beans to be swimming in water.)

2 Bring to a full rolling boil, boil for a minute, then reduce heat. Simmer, partially covered, for about 2 1/2 hours, adding salt during the last 1/2 hour. And don't bother skimming off the foam that will form on the surface. A lot of people do, but I consider it just a waste of my precious time.

3 During the last 45 minutes, make the sauce. In large skillet or 3-quart saucepan, heat oil and cook onion, celery and green pepper until softened, about 5 minutes. Stir in tomato paste and seasonings, and cook for about 10 minutes to "brown" the tomato paste and toast the spices (mixture will be very thick). Add diced tomatoes.

4 Simmer, stirring occasionally, for 30 minutes. If the beans aren't tender by the time the sauce has cooked 30 minutes, turn the heat off under the sauce, cover and let stand until beans are done.

5 Add sauce to beans. Simmer, stirring occasionally, for 30 minutes or until the chili is the consistency you like. Taste and adjust seasoning. Ladle into bowls and serve, offering assortment of garnishes. Can be made a day or more ahead--it just gets better!

Note: I made those fettuccine-like shreds of cheese with my Microplane Professional Extra Coarse Grater!

Jean