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Spice It Up: Vegetarian Chili on a Chilly Open House Day

by | Sep 29, 2016 | Entertaining, Home, Home Selling, Home Staging, Staging | 0 comments

While catered spreads or appetizers are the norm at an open house, a cup of vegetarian chili can create that warm and welcoming feeling especially on those chilly days during the Fall and Winter months.
vegetarian chili

This simple version of a vegetarian chili can be made ahead of time for quick clean up, and it’s got just enough heat to appeal to a wide variety of buyers stopping by. By offering chili at an open house you’re playing off the sense of smell and taste to create an emotional connection point with home buyers, that will have them lingering in the space longer. If you live in a football community, take this one step further and have a game on as background noise, so buyers can envision themselves throwing a party for game time.
But, remember this all starts with the chili, so try this recipe created by my husband Sal Arena, whether you’re selling or not — to liven’ up your taste buds and celebrate the colder months ahead. Here’s what you’ll need: 

Step 1: Heat the olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Stir in the onion, and season with bay leaves, cumin, oregano, and salt. Cook and stir until onion is tender.
vegetarian chili
Step 2: Next, mix in jalapeno peppers, green bell peppers and celery. Cook until the vegetables are heated through.
vegetarian chili
Step 3: Add in carrots (or any other dense vegetables you’d like to add) you can also add any meat you’d like to use at this time. 
veggie chili
Step 4: Then pour in the best part one beer of your choice we used Samuel Adams Octoberfest. (This is optional).Reduce heat to low, cover pot, and simmer 5 minutes.
veggie chili
Step 5: Once the beer has reduced add the two cans of chopped green chile peppers and let it cook for a minute or two.
veggie chili
Step 6: Add your softer veggies now, we added zucchini and corn into the pot. Mix in well and let that cook together for a minute or so.
veggie chili
Step 7: It’s sauce time. Next, add your three cans of crushed tomatoes. 
veggie chili
Step 8: The tomatoes need to get spiced up. Season chili with chili powder and pepper. (If you want it very spicy now is the time to add that!)
veggie chili
Step 9: Stir in the kidney beans and black beans. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to low, and simmer for about 45 minutes.
veggie chili
Step 10: Continue to stir chili during that 45 minute cooking time.
veggie chili
Step 11: Dress up and enjoy! Chili is great to eat out of cup, bowl or plate. Dress it up with rice, avocado, cheddar cheese, corn chips, corn bread or even sour cream. The combinations in the dish are endless, so get creative.
veggie chili
What type of food do you offer at your open house or house party? I’d love to hear about your go-to dishes and comment below to tell me what you thought about our veggie chili recipe. Enjoy!
Happy Cooking,
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