Chili
 

I love to cook. I love to make soups cause they are so easy. I hate to measure. I have not made a vegan chili that tastes right yet. I need some ideas. I want good flavor, depth, body, but not too spicy (so the boys can eat it). I do onion and galic and plenty of beans, meatless beef broth, chili powder, what else?

Re: Chili
 

You might try some meat subsitute of some kind. Other things to I have seen in Chili recipes are salt, oregano, canned stewed tomatoes, canned tomato sauce, ground cumin, bay leaves, salt, pepper, ground cinnamon, paprika, different kinds of peppers, like green peppers, either freshed or canned etc.

Re: Chili
 

we don't eat soy.

Thanks for the list, that does help.

Re: Chili
 

I use smoked paprika and cumin in mine. If you can't find smoked paprika, you can toast paprika until it starts to smoke a bit-just make sure that you have some ventilation or you'll be coughing for 10 mins ;) Oh, and I cook it for ages in a low oven for ages and cook the beans from scratch if you have time. I find that ppl don't notice the lack of meatiness if the other flavours are really concentrated.

Re: Chili
 

Cumin is the key to any good chili, IMO. It is the one spice that really gives you the real chili taste.
I know this sounds odd, but I have found that the best vegetarian chili is made with some sweet corn in it, in place of the meat.
I also think that using more than one kind of bean helps. Pinto beans or red kidney beans on their own, are, IMO, rather dull. Together, they make a heartier chili.
Have you tried roasting some sweet peppers? Instead of just putting them in? (Same concept as the smoked paprika, really....Just blacken them a little over the flame...Or roast in oven). Its a more traditional taste....

Re: Chili
 

great ideas! I love cooking mmy own beans and using a combination. I think I will try toasting some of the spices.

Re: Chili
 

It was awsome!!!! Thanks again for the great ideas.

Re: Chili
 

We do variations on this recipe:
http://vegweb.com/index.php?topic=10454.0

Sometimes we use the bulgur, and sometimes we leave it out :) It gets compliments either way!

Re: Chili
 

I'm glad it came out well. :cool Thanks for updating. :rockon