Feel free to serve this chili to everyone—meat eaters, non-meat eaters and even those who think they don’t like lentils! The black beluga lentils give this veggie chili it’s body and look like cooked ground beef. The flavor comes from the sauteed mushrooms, roasted garlic beer and seasonings. You get an extra boost of protein and crunch from the Happiness Foods Sprouted Pumpkin Seeds on top!
Makes about 8 cups
Elizabeth Karmel
- Olive oil
- 1 pound sliced white or crimini mushrooms
- 2 carrots, peeled and shredded
- 1 red onion, sliced
- 15-20 large cloves of roasted garlic, or 1 head of roasted garlic
- 1 red or yellow pepper, chopped
- 1 pint grape tomatoes
- 2 small cans (10-ounce) Rotel tomatoes (tomatoes with mild roasted green chiles with liquid)
- 1 14.5 ounce can fire-roasted tomatoes with liquid
- 1 ½ cups of cooked black beluga lentils or; a 15-ounce can of lentils, rinsed
- 1 15-ounce favorite beans such as pinto, black or white, rinsed
- 1 bottle/can beer
- 1 6-ounce can tomato paste (about 6 tablespoons)
- 1 tablespoon high-quality chili powder
- 1 tablespoon fresh ground ancho chile powder
- 5-10 shakes Tabasco, or to taste
- Kosher salt to taste
-
Happiness Foods Premium Sprouted Pumpkin Seed.
- In a large heavy-bottomed Dutch oven or stock pot, brown mushrooms, carrots, onion and garlic in olive oil. Cook with the lid on for five minutes and off for five minutes until soft.
- Add grape tomatoes, Rotel, fire-roasted tomatoes, lentils, beans, beer, and tomato paste. Mix well and bring to a soft boil.
- Add chili powder and ancho chile powder and stir well.
- Let cook uncovered over medium-low heat for 30-45 minutes or until thickened and tomatoes are cooked down (you may have to “mash” them with the back of a wooden spoon.)
- Season to taste with Tabasco, Kosher salt and just a sprinkling of freshly ground pepper.
- Serve hot garnished with Happiness Foods TM Sprouted Pumpkin Seeds.
NOTES: This recipe can be made in advance and reheated. It also freezes well.