Vegetarian Chili

On a chilly 'June-uary' day Vegetarian Chili was just the thing to cook.

When the weather is cool and it is raining outside a bowl of hearty chili is just the right comfort food for the family. My family loves this chili and the recipe below makes a large batch that you can put away for those busy days when the sun comes out and you want to 'play' or spend time in the garden.

Try this recipe for your family or friends. Serve it over Kartoshnik (potato cake) or mashed potatoes.

Make it spicy or mild, add any beans of your choice - the possibilities are endless.

My boys even like it served over garlic toast.

Vegetarian Chili

The ingredients you will need.

Celery, onions and garlic chopped and ready for the pan.

Mushrooms, chopped - you can also use canned mushrooms

Onions, garlic and celery sauteeing

Mushrooms have been added to the onion, garlic and celery

Seasonings and spices

Seasonings and spices added to the mixture

the rest of the ingredients are waiting to be added to the tomato, onion mixture

Mmmmm....smelling so amazing

Serve the chili with sour cream or yogurt. Serve over some mashed potatoes

or Kartoshnik (Potato Cake)

Vegetarian Chili Recipe

2 tsp vegetable or olive oil

2 onions chopped

2 stalks celery diced

3 cloves garlic, minced

2 quarts tomatoes

1/2 cup ketchup or BBQ sauce of choice

2 cans (19 oz) kidney beans, drained

2 cans (19 oz) black beans, drained

2 cans Romano beans, drained

2 small cans baked beans in tomato sauce ( optional)

1 or 2 can canned sliced mushrooms or use fresh sliced

1 small can corn niblets, drained

1 1/2 Tablespoons chili powder, more if you like

1 1/2 teaspoons black pepper

Hot pepper flakes ( optional) if you like a spicier chili

Salt and seasoning salt to taste

Cheddar cheese (optional)

In a large Dutch oven sauté onions, garlic, celery and mushrooms in oil until onions are translucent. Add tomatoes and simmer for about 20 minutes, until thickened. Take a potato masher and mash a quarter of the beans, right in the pot.......this thickens up the Chili very nicely. Stir in the seasonings, ketchup or BBQ sauce and corn, adjust salt and pepper to taste. Bring to a simmer and simmer for another 15 minutes stirring several times. Take off stove, you can stir in some shredded cheddar cheese at this point. Serve with garlic cheese bread or over mashed potatoes Or even better serve over homemade Kartoshnik ( potato cake). A favorite of my boys. Any leftovers can be poured into sterilized jars and sealed. They will keep in the fridge until needed.

'Make your anger so expensive that no one can afford it,

and make your Happiness so cheap, everyone can get it for free.'