| Prep: 20 mins | Cook: 40 mins – 45 mins | Difficulty: Medium | Serves: 6 |
| kcal | fat | saturates | carbs |
| 355 | 2g | 0.3g | 68g |
| sugars | fibre | protein | salt |
| 9g | 16g | 19g | 1.2g |
There’s a certain charm to experimenting with different cuisines and recipes. I often find myself dabbling in an assortment of dishes, but there’s this one in particular that has truly won me over. Meaning, not just a passing admiration but a real culinary connection – the Vegetarian Chili with Chili Pepper Leaves. From its enriched selection of beans to the unique incorporation of chili pepper leaves, this recipe is both a delight to the palate and a gift to the health.
The Flavor Fusion
Growing up in Louisiana with French roots, I’ve always enjoyed the marriage of starkly different flavors. This Vegetarian Chili isn’t too far off. The recipe takes the basic essence of the classic chili and gives it an interesting twist with the inclusion of chili pepper leaves, a trick I believe that gives it an enriched depth of flavor. The various beans, the crunch of bell peppers, and the underlying heat of spices, all culminate to create a taste profile that is savoury, robust, and satisfyingly hearty.
Aside from its delectable taste, this vegetarian chili is, as you can imagine, absolutely loaded with health benefits. The beans provide ample protein and fiber, while the spices like chili powder and cayenne pepper are known for their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. And of course, the chili pepper leaves – they don’t just contribute to the taste, but also have a wide array of health benefits from aiding digestion to promoting cardiovascular health.
Paring Possibilities
This Vegetarian Chili with Chili Pepper Leaves is a standalone dish but it works like magic when teamed with some warm corn bread or even a simple slice of crusty baguette, like those I grew up on. Given its robust nature and full-bodied flavors, it’s also similar to dishes like Veggie-packed Tomato Sauce or the southern favorite Hoppin’ John.
So, if you’re looking to add a hearty yet healthy dish to your repertoire that has a dash of adventure and a whole lot of flavor, I urge you to give this Vegetarian Chili with Chili Pepper Leaves a go! Trust me, it’s a love affair you’ll cherish.
What You’ll Need
- 1 cup of Chili Pepper Leaves
- 1 can of Kidney Beans
- 1 can of Black Beans
- 1 can of Pinto Beans
- 1 large Bell Pepper, chopped
- 1 large Onion, chopped
- 3 cloves of Garlic, minced
- 2 cans of Diced Tomatoes
- 1 can of Sweet Corn
- 1 tablespoon of Chili Powder
- 1/2 teaspoon of Cayenne Pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon of Paprika
- 1 teaspoon of Salt
- 1 teaspoon of Black Pepper
- 1 teaspoon of Cumin
- 1 tablespoon of Olive Oil
- Fresh Cilantro for garnish
Method
Step One
To start, prep all your vegetables by washing them thoroughly under running water. Chop the bell pepper and onion into bite-sized pieces and mince the garlic. Wash and drain the chili pepper leaves and set aside.
Step Two
In a large pot, heat up the olive oil over medium heat. Once the oil is hot, add the chopped onion and bell pepper to the pot and sauté them until they are soft and the onion is translucent, which will take around 5 to 7 minutes.
Step Three
Next, add the minced garlic, chili powder, cayenne pepper, paprika, salt, black pepper, and cumin to the pot. Stir everything together and let the mixture cook for another minute to allow the spices to bloom.
Step Four
Open the cans of kidney beans, black beans, and pinto beans and drain them in a colander, rinse with cold water. Add these beans to the pot together with the two cans of diced tomatoes, along with all their liquid, and the can of sweet corn.
Step Five
Add the chili pepper leaves to the pot. Let the chili simmer over low heat for about 30 minutes to allow all the flavors to meld together.
Step Six
Taste the chili to adjust the seasoning as needed. If desired, you can add a bit more salt or pepper.
Step Seven
Finally, serve your Vegetarian Chili with Chili Pepper Leaves hot, garnish each serving with fresh cilantro. Enjoy this hearty, veggie-packed meal!
