Tofu Lentil Chili Food

HEALTHY LENTIL CHILI

Steps:

• Heat the olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add the onion, bell pepper, garlic, 1/2 teaspoon salt and several grinds of black pepper. Cook until vegetables are just tender and browned in spots, stirring occasionally, about 6 minutes. Stir in the tomato paste, chili powder, oregano and cumin, then continue to cook until fragrant and brick-red in color, stirring frequently, about 2 minutes.
• Stir in the vegetable broth, diced tomatoes, beans (and their liquid), lentils, bay leaf, 1/2 teaspoon salt and a couple grinds of black pepper. Bring to a steady simmer, then reduce the heat to medium-low. Partially cover with a lid and gently simmer, stirring occasionally, until the lentils are tender and the chili has thickened slightly, 35 to 45 minutes.
• Remove the bay leaf and stir in the vinegar. Season with salt and black pepper. Ladle into bowls and serve with toppings as desired.

VEGETARIAN RED LENTIL CHILI

Steps:

• Heat oil over medium heat in a Dutch oven. Add carrots, zucchini, onion, poblano pepper, 1 tablespoon chili powder, 1 tablespoon cumin, and smoked paprika. Cook until onion is soft and translucent, 3 to 4 minutes.
• Remove zucchini from Dutch oven and set aside. Add garlic and jalapeno pepper to the vegetable mixture and stir to combine. Add tomato paste, 1 tablespoon chili powder, and 1 tablespoon cumin; stir for 2 to 3 minutes. Add diced tomatoes and vegetable broth, and bring to a boil. Once liquid boils, stir in kidney beans, black beans, and red lentils.
• Reduce heat to medium-low, cover, leaving lid ajar, and simmer for 15 minutes. Season with remaining chili powder and cumin to taste.
• Return zucchini to the pot and reduce heat to low. Cover and allow flavors to blend for about 20 minutes. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.

VEGAN LENTIL CHILI

Steps:

• Heat the olive oil in a large heavy-bottom pot over medium-high heat. Add the light-green scallion parts, both bell peppers, 1/2 teaspoon salt and a few grinds of black pepper and cook, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables have softened, 5 to 6 minutes. Add the tomato paste, garlic, ancho chile powder, cumin and cinnamon and cook, stirring, until the tomato paste darkens in color and the garlic is softened, about 1 minute.
• Add the tomatoes and their juices, lentils, 2 cups water, 1 teaspoon salt and a few grinds of black pepper to the pot and stir to combine. Bring the liquid to a boil, then reduce the temperature and simmer, stirring occasionally, until the lentils have softened, 12 to 15 minutes. Fold in the kidney beans, butternut squash and agave syrup and cook, stirring once or twice, until the squash is heated through, 2 to 3 minutes.
• Serve the chili in bowls and garnish with the radish, jalapeno, avocado, pepitas and dark-green scallion parts as desired.

TOFU-LENTIL CHILI

Steps:

• Put dry lentils into boiling vegetable broth with tomatoes and tomato sauce.
• Reduce to low, cover, and simmer for 25- 30 minutes.
• Meanwhile, saute onion, pepper and garlic with spices until softened. Add to lentils.
• Simmer for 20- 25 minutes.
• Wipe out saute pan, add a little oil and sautee tofu for five minutes, then add corn and saute for another 5 minutes -- add to soup.
• Serve hot!
• Great garnished with lowfat sour cream.

VEGETARIAN LENTIL CHILI

Steps:

• In a large pot, combine undrained tomatoes, rinsed and drained beans, 3 cups water, green peppers, onions, dry lentils, chili powder, and garlic powder.
• Bring to boiling; reduce heat.
• Simmer, covered, 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.
• Stir in tomato sauce, tomato paste, and 1/8 tsp black pepper; heat through.
• Serve with cheese and tortilla chips, if desired.

EASY VEGETARIAN LENTIL CHILI

Steps:

• Combine everything (except tomato sauce and corn) in 2 1/2 quart pot and boil over high heat.
• Reduce to low, cover, and simmer for 25- 30 minutes.
• Stir in tomato sauce and corn.
• Simmer for 10- 15 minutes.
• Serve hot!
• Great garnished with lowfat sour cream.
• For Vegetarian use only the vegetable broth. Do not use the low fat sour cream garnish for Vegans.