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.
- 2 green bell peppers, chopped
- 2 large carrots, chopped
- 1/2 bag of frozen corn kernels
- 1 bottle of beer (we used Octoberfest)
- 1 (15 ounce) can garbanzo beans, drained
- 1 (15 ounce) can black beans
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.
Step 2: Next, mix in jalapeno peppers, green bell peppers and celery. Cook until the vegetables are heated through.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Step 7: It’s sauce time. Next, add your three cans of crushed tomatoes.
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!)
Step 9: Stir in the kidney beans and black beans. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to low, and simmer for about 45 minutes.
Step 10: Continue to stir chili during that 45 minute cooking time.
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.
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,