Name: Spicy Vegetarian Chili
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 20 min
Yield: 1
Ingredients: 1 1-pound (450g) eggplant, cut into 1-inch cubes -; 5 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil -; 2 yellow onions, chopped -; 3 cloves garlic, minced -; 2 medium zucchini, chopped -; 2 large red bell peppers, cored, seeded, diced -; 1 to 2 jalapeño peppers, seeded, finely minced (Taste and check the heat of the jalapeños. If very hot only use one, if mildly hot, use two. Wash hands with soap and water after handling. Do not rub eyes.) -; 1 28-ounce (794g) can Italian plum tomatoes, coarsely chopped, including liquid (or 2 pounds fresh plum tomatoes, peeled and chopped) -; 1 tablespoon ground cumin -; 1-2 tablespoons chili powder -; 2 tablespoons chopped fresh chopped oregano or 2 teaspoons dried -; 1 teaspoon fennel seeds -; 1 1/2 cup cooked white beans (1 15-ounce or 425g can), drained and rinsed -; 1 1/2 cup cooked kidney beans (1 15-ounce or 425g can), drained and rinsed -; Zest from one lemon -; 3 tablespoons lemon juice -; 1 teaspoon sugar (use raw, beet, or coconut sugar for vegan version) -; 1/3 cup chopped fresh cilantro (can sub parsley if you have an aversion to cilantro) -; Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste -

Ingredients for - Spicy Vegetarian Chili

1. 1 1-pound (450g) eggplant, cut into 1-inch cubes

2. 5 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil

3. 2 yellow onions, chopped

4. 3 cloves garlic, minced

5. 2 medium zucchini, chopped

6. 2 large red bell peppers, cored, seeded, diced

7. 1 to 2 jalapeño peppers, seeded, finely minced (Taste and check the heat of the jalapeños. If very hot only use one, if mildly hot, use two. Wash hands with soap and water after handling. Do not rub eyes.)

8. 1 28-ounce (794g) can Italian plum tomatoes, coarsely chopped, including liquid (or 2 pounds fresh plum tomatoes, peeled and chopped)

9. 1 tablespoon ground cumin

10. 1-2 tablespoons chili powder

11. 2 tablespoons chopped fresh chopped oregano or 2 teaspoons dried

12. 1 teaspoon fennel seeds

13. 1 1/2 cup cooked white beans (1 15-ounce or 425g can), drained and rinsed

14. 1 1/2 cup cooked kidney beans (1 15-ounce or 425g can), drained and rinsed

15. Zest from one lemon

16. 3 tablespoons lemon juice

17. 1 teaspoon sugar (use raw, beet, or coconut sugar for vegan version)

18. 1/3 cup chopped fresh cilantro (can sub parsley if you have an aversion to cilantro)

19. Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

How to cook deliciously - Spicy Vegetarian Chili

1 . Stage

Roast the cubed eggplant: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Scatter eggplant cubes in a shallow roasting pan and slather with 2 tablespoons of olive oil. Cover the pan with aluminum foil and bake for about 30 minutes, stirring once during the cooking. Remove from the oven and set aside.

2 . Stage

Sauté the onions, garlic, peppers: While the eggplant is roasting, start on the rest of the vegetables. In a large (5-6 quart) thick-bottomed Dutch oven, heat 3 tablespoons of olive oil on medium heat. Add the onions and cook until translucent, about 4 minutes. Add the garlic and cook until fragrant, about a minute more. Add the red bell peppers, zucchini, and jalapeño chili peppers. Cook for about 5 more minutes, stirring occasionally.

3 . Stage

Add the tomatoes, spices, chili, and roasted eggplant: Add the tomatoes to the pot along with any liquid that may have been in the can (if using canned). Add oregano, cumin, and fennel seeds. Add chili powder to desired heat. Stir in the eggplant cubes (carefully as to not break them up), and simmer for 20 minutes over low heat.

4 . Stage

Add the beans, lemon, sugar, cilantro, salt, pepper: Add the white beans and kidney beans, lemon zest, lemon juice, sugar, and chopped cilantro. Add salt and freshly ground pepper to taste. Simmer for 5 minutes.

5 . Stage

Serve with garnishes: Serve with sour cream, grated cheddar cheese, and chopped green onions. Links: Vegetarian Chili with Smoked Spices from Sally Cameron