Wednesday, February 21, 2007

Oh yes... black bean chili

Okay, this is one of my favorite recipes EVER. Black bean chili from The Grit Cookbook. One of the recipes The Grit is the most famous for is its black bean chili... You ask yourself, how hard can it be to make good chili? But then you have The Grit's black bean chili, and from then on every chili you taste is "good, but not like The Grit's." At least that is how it was for me... Maybe I'm overdoing it a little. But seriously, Bob and I both get very excited when there are plans to make a big pot of this chili, and we stay excited until we eat the last bite.


It's got lots of onion, bell pepper, celery, carrots, corn, and crushed tomatoes, and plenty of good chili spices. The only modification I have ever made is to use quinoa in place of the bulgur wheat that the recipe calls for. This makes it lighter and smoother and easier on the tummy, I think. I like to eat a bowl of it....


Bob likes the occasional chili cheese dog, using Vegan Gourmet monterey jack and Yves veggie dogs, and some dijon mustard. Oh yes, and the recipe makes an enormous pot--we froze three large bags of chili and had enough left to each eat several times before it's gone. Chili makes me happy.

I do have a recipe to share with you... I had some leftover brown and wild rice that I wanted to use up, so I made this Mexican chocolate rice pudding. So named because I used the killer chocolate and cinnamon combination. Toast a little coconut to sprinkle on top, and it's quite delicious.


Mexican Chocolate Rice Pudding

1 1/2 cups leftover rice (brown and wild rice for me)
1 1/2 cups soy milk (I ran out of vanilla soy milk so I added some extra vanilla extract to compensate)
1 1/2 tablespoons cocoa powder
1/4 cup demerara sugar
3/4 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
Pinch salt

Combine everything in a saucepan and bring to a simmer. Cook for 25-30 minutes, until it thickens and the rice is soft. Serve warm with toasted coconut flakes.

Have a lovely day! Are you seeing any signs of spring yet? Today it felt like spring here... oh joy!

14 comments:

Anonymous said...

I love chili, but I have had the hardest time making vegan chili... but seeing this picture means I need to try again. It is making me crave chili =D

Vicki's Vegan Vice said...

I love chili too, it's so satisfying. Art would like his Bob's way & the chocolate pudding looks like a perfect follow-up! I made French bread & added a baguette photo from Paris a la Laura!!! :o)

urban vegan said...

Love the chili cheeese dog idea, And the pudding recipe looks yummy and healthy.

Spring? Well, after a week of subzero temps, today's 48 degree weather felt like a magical heatwave. We're getting there.

KleoPatra said...

Mmmmm! Chili!!! We have been having very strange weather here, in SoCal. It was very sunny and nice today but Monday it was torrential rain and Friday it's supposed to be the same. I guess that's a sign of Spring for most of the northern hemisphere... it's just kinda nutty for San Diego.

Love your chili. Looks so amazing and warm and hearty and spicy. Mmmmmmmmm! Just like i like it...

laura k said...

Emily, I never liked chili until I tasted vegan chili--I never cared for the flavor that meat adds, and I much prefer loading it up with spices!

Vicki, I love the pics! Thanks for "following up!" :)

Urban Vegan, that's amazing... I've never seen subzero weather in my life!

Kleo, that's funny that your weather has been so wonky. Ours has too, but that's normal for Georgia!

MeloMeals said...

The Chili looks great! I've been fortunate enough never to have tried meat chili... and I really love vegan chili...

Kati said...

Everything looks delicious! I love it when chili has lots of veggies in it and not just tomatoes and beans. As for spring, I think I caught a glimpse of it the past few days with temperatures almost hitting 40! It's a start, anyway... I love winter, but I'm pretty much ready for this one to be over.

bazu said...

I'm laughing my butt off about the signs of spring. Well, actually, we did go above freezing one day this week, so that's like Spring isnt' it...? Or, um, ask me again in 3 months!

That chocolate rice pudding looks so good. And so chocolatey, with so little cocoa powder! Must make some now.

aTxVegn said...

Sorry, Laura, I thought I had commented earlier! That chili looks great and I think subbing in quinoa is a great idea. I haven't quite gotten the hang of rice pudding yet, but I would definitely eat the chocolate version you made - yum!

It's been between 70 and 85 all week. I didn't even have to wear a coat in the mornings. Finally!

laura k said...

Melody, how awesome that you have never tried meat chili! I always thought it was gross...

Kati, almost 40 makes me shiver! Our coldest days this winter have not gone below 30!

Bazu, sorry about spring... I guess it's coming a little later for you, but it's surely coming! Make some warm rice pudding and stay bundled up. :)

Diann, I often forget to comment on a blog, thinking I have done it already! And yay for warm weather! When it gets too hot here, I'll be wishing for winter again, I'm sure...

vko said...

Oh, I am stuck at home with a terrible cold and that chili looks like the perfect cure. I blame the cold on stress and the crazy weather we've been having in NYC. Freezing temps one day and then spring- ah yes, global warming anyone?

Sigh,even the pictures of comfort food are comforting.

laura k said...

VKO, I am so sorry you are home sick! I get stress sickness a well... no fun. I went and peeked at your blog, and I'm going to check it out in some more depth here in a few minutes! I'm glad you stopped in... and take care of that cold.

Anonymous said...

yum that looks good ! the weather here is a bit crazy lately, normally this time of the year is the more fresh no this year!

Biz said...

do you have the recipe for the chili? if you do, will you post it PLEASE?