How to Make Vegetarian Chlli

Vegetarian chili is a very delicious and extremely healthy dish. It is fairly simple to make; however, it requires some patience, but it is well worth it in the end.

Here's what you will need:

1 - can of black beans
1 - can of chili beans
1 - can of kidney beans
1 - can of spinach
1 - can of mushrooms
1 - whole onion (chopped)
1 - whole tomato (diced)
1 ½ - cups of water
2 - teaspoons of chili powder
2 - teaspoons of salt
1 - teaspoon of black pepper
1 - tablespoon of your favorite hot sauce
1 - tablespoon of basil leaves
2 - teaspoons of garlic powder
Extra virgin olive oil

Once you prepare all of your ingredients, this recipe is extremely simple to make. First, find a large pot to cook the chili in. Before you add any ingredients, coat the bottom of the pot with your olive oil, and let the oil heat up for a minute with the temperature of the stove set to high. Make sure you do not drain any of the water from your canned ingredients; this will provide liquid for your chili, so that it is not too dry, but not too watered down tasting, either. The water from the canned ingredients will be more flavorful than added water.

After the oil has heated for a minute, add the rest of your ingredients. Let them cook on the highest temperature for about 3 - 4 minutes. This will quickly bring them to the temperature they need to simmer at. Next, you will want to cover your pot and bring the temperature down to low. You will let the chili cook like this for about 2 hours. Every 15 minutes uncover the chili to let some of the steam out and stir it.

It's really hard to overcook chili. The longer you let it cook, the more the flavors will come out and mix together. In the worst case scenario, if you let your chili cook for too long, it will dry out. In this event, just add more water, and it will be fine. Still, I find that 2 hours seems to be just the right amount of time. Undercooking it won't hurt it, either; However, if you only let it cook for less than an hour, it will taste more like a soup or a stew, so be patient.

After 2 hours has gone by, your chili is finished and ready to eat. I suggest eating it over white rice with some grated cheddar cheese on top. Enjoy!