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Super Bowl LIII is coming up. Are you having guests over? Do you know what you’re serving? With my crazy schedule, I need to make sure that I can put together a spread that is delicious but more importantly, fast and easy to make and serve. This year, I made a list that included a lot of ready-made foods because like many Moms, I just don’t have the time to prepare a bunch of things. While I choose to take advantage of convenience, I always commit to at least one handmade recipe to give my guests a hearty, feel-good option. This year, I’m making my Easiest Vegetarian Chili. I’ll share my recipe in just a bit.
First, let’s talk about the shopping list. My list always consists of a variety of foods because let’s face it, everyone is different. Some eat meat, some don’t. Some love veggies, others prefer chips. And some are just there for the beer… yep, we have that friend too.
So first things first, you’ll want to choose some ready-made options that you can pick up from your local supermarket.
10 Convenient Ready Made Food Options
Fried Chicken
Guacamole
Hummus
Veggie Platter
Fruit Platter
Shrimp co*cktail Platter
Deli Meat Platter
Chips + Salsa
Pizza
Frozen Appetizers (potato skins, pigs in a blanket, mozzarella sticks, etc.)
While our lists may look different, there is one item on that list that you should never forget to pick up. The last thing I want is to welcome guests into my home and have it smelling badly. So, at the top of all my shopping lists is something you may not have thought of. It’s Febreze! Why? Because there’s nothing that can sideline a good time like the smells from your beloved Super Bowl foods and their after-effects.
The MVP of Your Party
Let’s be real. With all the chili, beer, shrimp and bean dip, that you are serving, you CAN’T forget the odor-eliminating MVP of any party. You need Febreze. It will save you, and your home, from all those offensive odors, pregame, post game and all the time in between.
Did you know that there may be 500 trillion odor molecules in your home that you are not even able to smell? Your home isn’t clean until it’s clean of odors. Febreze with OdorClear Technology cleans away odors in two simple ways: seeks out tough odors and cleans them away by deactivating and replacing them with a lght, fresh scent. It’s the true MVP.
The Easiest Vegetarian Chili
Over the years, I’ve tried so many different versions of vegetarian chili and have found that this is the only one that my kids love just as much as Super Dad and I do. On occasion, I’ll add in additional veggies, like zucchini, carrots, and green beans, to give it a more hearty, veggie taste. But honestly, if you’re looking for a quick and easy recipe, this is the one! I’d love to hear what you would leave out or add to make it your own.
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The Easiest Vegetarian Chili
5 Stars4 Stars3 Stars2 Stars1 Star
4.9 from 16 reviews
Total Time:40 minutes
Yield:81x
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Description
A meatless chili that will wow your family and guests. It will taste like you spent hours making it!
Ingredients
Scale
2 tbsp olive oil
1 large onion (chopped)
6 cloves garlic (minced)
3 15 oz cans beans (red or black or combination of both, drained)
2 28 oz cans diced tomatoes
1 15 oz can corn (drained)
1 tbsp maple syrup
1/2 cup water
Spices
chili powder (to taste)
3 tbsp oregano
2 tsp garlic powder
2 tsp kosher salt
1/4 tsp black pepper
Toppings
Sour cream
Shredded cheddar and jack cheese
Hot sauce
Scallions or Cilantro
Instructions
In a large pot, heat olive oil over medium heat.
Sauté onions until soft, stirring occasionally.
Add garlic and stir for about 1 minute.
Mix in beans, tomatoes, corn, maple syrup, water and all of the spices. Adjust the amount of spices, based on your taste.
Bring to a boil and then reduce to low, simmering for around 20 minutes. The longer you leave it on the stove, the more flavorful it becomes.
Elevate your chili recipe by adding an extra layer of flavor. Cocoa powder, bacon, cinnamon, ground coffee and tomato paste will all add a rich sweet & salty flavors that are sure to surprise and delight.
Traditionally, we expect a robust, spicy base, meat and/or beans, perhaps some bonus veggies, and a thick, rich consistency. Unlike soups, which are brothy, or even bisques, which are creamy yet thinner, chili is meant to be more stew-like; it's a definite stick-to-your-ribs creation.
You can use chicken broth, ginger ale, white grape juice, or white wine if your recipe calls for a light beer. Use beef broth, chicken broth, mushroom stock, apple juice, apple cider, root beer, or co*ke instead of dark beer.
Stir some puréed pumpkin into your chili just after sautéing your aromatics (onions, garlic, etc...) and before adding any liquid. This will deepen and sweeten its flavor, making it a great balance for all the chile peppers and heat.
Chili recipes need time for flavors to meld and come together, and collagen-rich meat (like chuck roast or ground beef) needs 90 minutes to two hours to fully break down and become tender. If you don't have time for a long simmer, try using a slow cooker or making it the day before.
All you need are a few cans of beans (I love kidney beans in my chili), veggies, spices and crushed tomatoes. To make this plant based chili you'll need: Veggies: we're adding onion, carrot, bell pepper, sweet potato and corn for the perfect mix of hearty veggies.
Set Up the Table. Buffet is the way to go with chili, allowing everyone to top their bowls as they wish. On one end, stack up the bowls for the chili; put the pot of chili next to the bowls. The toppings should follow the chili, and then be sure to have space for a couple of side dishes.
Cornbread is a classic and time-tested accompaniment to chili, and for good reason. The slightly sweet, toasty flavor of the cornbread will complement the boldly-spiced chili. And whether you prefer your cornbread to be served oven-to-table in a cast-iron skillet or baked as muffins, our recipes are sure to satisfy.
Red wine and beef are like two peas in a pod, lifting the meaty flavor to prevent any heaviness while adding subtle sweet flavor. Beer helps ingredients in the dish like tomato sauce, paprika, and onion release sweet malty flavors while adding a bit of nuttiness (via recipegirl).
Not only does beer work to cut the heat and spice of a proper bowl of red, but the residual sweetness in most beers nicely complements the caramelized meat. Since it's the perfect thing to drink with chili, plenty of people consider adding beer to their chili recipe, but which beer style should you choose?
Cook ground beef, oil, onions, green pepper and garlic until beef is browned. Stir in chili powder and cumin. Add tomatoes, coffee, water, chilies, salt and pepper. Simmer covered 1 hour, then cook an additional hour uncovered.
"Adding fresh ingredients — like diced onions, cilantro, and jalapenos — will take any canned chili to another level," Dunleavy said. "The fresh burst of flavor will brighten and elevate the chili while also adding great texture and crunch."
In addition to those, I like adding ground cumin, and usually more chili powder than any recipe calls for. If it needs depth, I like to add some molasses. If it needs a little sweetness, either molasses or maple syrup. I enjoy dishes that have a good salt to sweetness balance.
Soy sauce (or its gluten-free cousin, tamari) may seem like a strange addition to chili, but it brings the umami richness vegetarian chili is often missing and balances out any sweetness in the pot.
Introduction: My name is Nathanael Baumbach, I am a fantastic, nice, victorious, brave, healthy, cute, glorious person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.
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