MATERIALS
Makes ~6 servings
1 tbsp oil (omit if water sauteing)
1/2 onion, diced
1 green bell pepper, diced
1 clove garlic, minced
Spices
2 tbsp chili powder
1 tbsp cumin
1 1/2 tsp garlic powder
1 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
1-2 tsp salt
1 tsp pepper
1 15 ounce can diced tomatoes
1/4 cup tomato paste
3 cups vegetable broth
3 cans of beans, drained and rinsed (e.g. black, pinto, kidney)
1/3 cup red lentils, rinsed
2 tbsp maple syrup (omit during trials)
1 tbsp hot sauce, optional
PROCEDURE
1. Heat oil, if using, in a large pot over medium heat. Saute onion and green pepper for 4-5 minutes. Add the garlic and cook -2 more minutes. Add spices and cook for a couple minutes.
2. Add diced tomatoes and tomato paste and stir to incorporate the tomato paste.
3. Add broth and beans and bring to a simmer.
4. Add lentils and simmer covered for 30-45 minutes. Stir in maple syrup and hot sauce, if using. Taste and adjust seasonings.
VARIATIONs
Add in 2 sweet potatoes, 1 zucchini, and/or 1 carrot for an even heartier chili.
Sub water for vegetable broth if you don't have any on hand. Not to worry, this will have plenty of flavor either way.
Stir in a few handfuls of greens in the last few minutes of cooking for an extra nutritional boost.
THE RUNDOWN
This chili does require a bit of prep, but the good news is that once everything is diced, you can throw it all in one pot and let it do its thing. The longer this chili has time to meld, the tastier it will be. We recommend making this the morning of or the day before serving to give the flavors more time to develop. Pro tip – if some like it spicy and some like it…not (or if you aren’t quite sure what the preference will be), consider holding off on adding the hot sauce to the pot and instead let everyone add to their individual bowls.
A Plantsanity Original