Soulful Vegetarian Chili

Soulful Vegetarian Chili

Vegetarian chili that is full of soulful flavor and hearty enough to stick to your bones??? Say it aint so!!!!

I'll admit vegetarian chili didn't sound that appealing to me at first. I guess I'm just not a real veggie lover (although I'm trying to be) I'm a meat & potatoes,  (cakes, cookies, ice cream, pies, candy,) kinda girl and it just seemed like a cruel thing to do to chili...you know, adding all those vegetables and stuff.

My oldest sister, who is a vegetarian, has been telling me how fabulous her vegetarian chili recipe is for the longest. Even though she is one of those "healthy people" I trust her when she tells me something vegetarian tastes good. She was raised on my mothers and grandmothers soulful cooking and knows how to doctor up those vegetarian dishes like a seasoned pro.

Since so many of us are trying to watch our weight this time of year, I figured you would appreciate a hearty, savory, yet healthy dish to add to your recipe collection. (you can thank for my sister Nikki, although I did tweak this recipe a bit from the original)

This vegetarian chili recipe does not disappoint! It's hearty, mild enough for my toddler, yet my spicy, meat- chili-loving husband gave it 5 stars!  I found myself eating my second bowl without even noticing it.

It's loaded with fresh vegetables like zucchini, peppers and corn, three kinds of beans, and a perfect blend of savory spices! This vegetarian chili can easily be customized with your favorite veggies or kick up the heat to your liking.

Serve it up with a hunky square of buttermilk cornbread and a crunchy green salad..magnificent...and healthy to boot!!

Watch me make this vegetarian chili  recipe from start to finish

(this stuff is AWESOME when eaten the same day, but it's AMAZING when eaten the second day when all of the spices have had a chance to soak up in the beans and vegetables.)

INGREDIENTS

1 zucchini, chopped

1 green bell pepper, chopped

1 sweet red pepper, chopped

1 small onion, chopped

2 cloves of garlic, minced

1 jalepeno, seeded and diced (optional but so yummy)

3 Tablespoons of oil (for sautéing)

1 cup frozen sweet corn

1 (12 oz) bag Morning Star Meal Starters (grillers veggie crumbles)

1 (14.5 oz) can diced tomatoes

1 (14.5 oz) can whole Italian Stewed Tomatoes, chopped

1 (15 oz) can Tomato sauce

1 (15 oz) can kidney beans, rinsed & drained

1 (15 oz) can black beans, rinsed & drained

1 (15 oz) can garbanzo beans, rinsed and drained

3 T. chili powder

3 T celery flakes (or fresh celery)

1 1/2 t. seasoning salt

1 1/2 t. ground cumin

1 t. paprika

1 T. oregano

1 T. cilantro

2 t. sugar

1 T. parsley

2 t. thyme

1 T. basil (optional)

A few dashes of black pepper (optional)

A few dashes of liquid smoke (optional)

Taste and add more seasonings if desired!

 Just don't go too crazy with the seasonings if you plan on having leftovers because the flavors will really intensify overnight.