I need the best vegan chili recipe for a cook-off.

[ledboots]

OK guys and gals, there is a big chili contest/charity fundraiser thing coming up at work, versus omnis of course, and I want to enter a vegan chili. I already know I want it searingly spicy. There are a lot of people that like to eat healthy there, so I think a vegan chili might go over well with that crowd.

Any great recipes?

 

[beancounter]

Add corriander and a dash of oregano. Also, roasted garlic and red pepper, chiptle sauce and a touch of sweet such as agave.

Complex and savory will impress.

 

[ledboots]

Add corriander and a dash of oregano. Also, roasted garlic and red pepper, chiptle sauce and a touch of sweet such as agave.

Complex and savory will impress.

Great suggestions--roasting the garlic and red pepper will be delicious.

 

[KLS52]

I can't make decent chili. :sadface:

 

[Chryssie]

This is my ex's recipe. It is pretty good and of course can be modified however you want! Chili is fun to experiment with! I love chili! Good luck!

http://www.veggieboards.com/t/75425/vegan-chili

Just realized you might not be able to view it without logging in to VB. :/

 

[ledboots]

This is my ex's recipe. It is pretty good and of course can be modified however you want! Chili is fun to experiment with! I love chili! Good luck!

http://www.veggieboards.com/t/75425/vegan-chili

Just realized you might not be able to view it without logging in to VB. :/

Thank you, that looks good. (That's okay about vb, I still have an active account there.)

I plan to make a fiery chili with a lot of flavors. It is a friendly competition for charity, so I don't think I will get rude remarks about it being vegan.

My regular chili is good enough for omnis watching football to request it every time, with my cornbread.

 

[Chryssie]

I pretty much just "wing it" with chili and don't bother with a recipe. I like to put various veggies in mine like green beans, carrots, and corn! And cornbread is the perfect side for chili!

 

[thefadedone]

I pretty much just "wing it" with chili and don't bother with a recipe. I like to put various veggies in mine like green beans, carrots, and corn! And cornbread is the perfect side for chili!

^This! I always throw in a ton of veggies to make it really chunky and hearty. I use all the veggies you mentioned along with broccoli, cauliflower, mushrooms and sweet potatoes. Always sweet potatoes.

 

[Renee1]

Butternut squash and a dash of cinnamon both add warmth and sweetness, while being more complex than a straight-up sweetener. Never do a chili without them, in addition to the basics: onions, diced carrots and celery, garlic, canned tomatoes, fresh chopped tomato, tomato paste, hot peppers, beans (usually black, kidney, Canadian baked beans), red peppers, chili powder, oregano & thyme.

 

[beancounter]

Butternut squash and a dash of cinnamon both add warmth and sweetness, while being more complex than a straight-up sweetener. Never do a chili without them, in addition to the basics: onions, diced carrots and celery, garlic, canned tomatoes, fresh chopped tomato, tomato paste, hot peppers, beans (usually black, kidney, Canadian baked beans), red peppers, chili powder, oregano & thyme.

I've tried thyme. For me it throws the balance of the flavors off.


LB, IMO, if you choose to use a sweetener, do not use syrup. It just doesn't "mess" well with the other flavors.

 

[Renee1]

I've tried thyme. For me it throws the balance of the flavors off.

Thyme's probably only habit tbh; there's a very strong undercurrent of French influence on all my flavours/methods.

 

[ledboots]

Thyme's probably only habit tbh; there's a very strong undercurrent of French influence on all my flavours/methods.

I love thyme; the scent reminds me of childhood. I love your butternut squash idea and will definitely include it. I've used

Chili is always a "wing it" dish for me; whatever veg is nice I put in there and maybe adjust spices accordingly. I like pinto beans best, but usually have a few other kinds in there as well. I love a bean- filled chili with chunky roasted veg and good tomatoes.

Thanks everyone for the ideas. There are some great cooks on vv!

 

[kibbleforlola]

I've heard that cocoa goes really nice in chili. I've never tried it myself, but it may be the "pop" you're looking for.

 

[peacefulveglady]

This is my ex's recipe. It is pretty good and of course can be modified however you want! Chili is fun to experiment with! I love chili! Good luck!

http://www.veggieboards.com/t/75425/vegan-chili

Just realized you might not be able to view it without logging in to VB. :/

I am not logged in there but still have the account however, I can view it for some reason.

 

[Moll Flanders]

^ I tried cocoa once and it made it taste very rich.

I pretty much just "wing it" with chili and don't bother with a recipe.

I do the same. Sometimes it comes out very well and sometimes not so well.

 

[thefadedone]

I've heard that cocoa goes really nice in chili. I've never tried it myself, but it may be the "pop" you're looking for.

I've never tried using cocoa either, but I think I might try it out next time I make chili.

I've never used or heard of using oregano before either. It's an interesting addition, but not one I would want to try since I hate oregano.

 

[KLS52]

I've never used or heard of using oregano before either. It's an interesting addition, but not one I would want to try since I hate oregano.

Oh my gosh , me too. I think I had too much of it growing up. My mom always used a ton of it. Blech.

I'm going to try and make some chili tomorrow and add some cocoa.

 

[thefadedone]

Oh my gosh , me too. I think I had too much of it growing up. My mom always used a ton of it. Blech.

I'm going to try and make some chili tomorrow and add some cocoa.

I make a crappy Italian. I hate oregano, basil , and pasta.

 

[Amy SF]

I make a crappy Italian. I hate oregano, basil , and pasta.

I LOVE oregano, basil and pasta.

 

[SuicideBlonde]

One can of chipoltie chili peppers in adobo sauce is THE BEST.