Chili con "Carne"

This is my version of the classic chili con carne without the carne, obviously. The weather is getting very cold here lately and a hearty bowl of beans, and TVP in a savory broth is so comforting and warming.

In order to build more complex flavors, I added kombu to the beans, liquid smoke, and some cocoa powder. The result is perfect for a meal on a cold evening.

Vegan Chili con Carne

Ingredients:

1 cup dried pinto beans, soaked in water to cover overnight
2 tbsp olive oil (divided)
1 inch piece of kombu
1 14 oz can diced tomato
2 cups water

1/2 bell pepper
1 small onion
3 cloves garlic
12 oz TVP

1/4 cup beer
3 tbsp chili powder
1 tsp cumin
1 tsp oregano
1 tbsp cocoa powder
1/2 tsp paprika
2 tsp liquid smoke
1 tsp blackstrap molasses
2 tsp vegetable bouillon
1 tsp agave nectar
1 tbsp nutritional yeast
Salt to taste

Directions:

Drain and rinse your soaked pinto beans. Add them to a pressure cooker with 1 tbsp of the olive oil, kombu and diced tomatoes. Add the additional two cups of water and cook for 30 minutes. Alternately, you can cook them in a saucepan on your stovetop, just plan a couple more hours for this step.

When your beans are almost ready, start the next step of preparing the TVP. Heat the remaining tbsp olive oil in a non-stick pan. Heat the onion and bell pepper for a couple of minutes until they start to soften. Add the garlic and the TVP and stir occasionally as they begin to heat through; about 8 minutes. Then add the beer and all the spices: chili powder, cumin, oregano, cocoa powder, paprika, liquid smoke, molasses, bullion, agave, and nutritional yeast. Stir to combine and let the spices bloom for a minute or two. Then add the TVP and spice mixture to your beans. Let this simmer for 20 minutes, taste and adjust the seasoning.

Makes 8 servings. Nutritional information from caloriecount.about.com

Nutrition Facts

Serving Size 248 g

Amount Per Serving

Calories 312 Calories from Fat 76

% Daily Value*

Total Fat 8.4g 13%

Saturated Fat 1.2g 6%

Cholesterol 0mg 0%

Sodium 61mg 3%

Potassium 1502mg 43%

Total Carbohydrates 37.2g 12%

Dietary Fiber 13.1g 53%

Sugars 11.2g

Protein 26.3g

Vitamin A 32% • Vitamin C 36% Calcium 17% • Iron 37%

Nutrition Grade A

* Based on a 2000 calorie diet