My trip to New Orleans last month left me totally and completely inspired, in more ways than one. The most influential part, though, was definitely the preparation of food. The heat, the layers of flavor upon flavor, the list of ingredients so simple yet still so alluring… It was pretty cold while I was there, so I loved that just about every place we went had something hot on the menu, namely in the form of some kind of soup. Gumbo, bisque, stew, chili; whatever it is, it’s freaking delicious and warms you up from the inside out. I’ve been wanting to experiment with chili, especially a vegetarian version, for quite some time now. Welp, leave it to #SundaySupper to challenge me to a Chili Cook-Off! Off I went to find the perfect vegetarian chili to submit for this week’s theme.
I never really followed Emeril Lagasse too closely until this past season of Top Chef, which took place right in NOLA, his heart and soul. I fell in love with his enduring personality; he really took those chefs under his wing and was a true mentor. I would have loved being taught by such a master chef and relished every second of it. I may not be able to learn from him in person (maybe one day…), but I certainly can read his recipes!
This is my take on Emeril’s Vegetarian Chili, complete with “Emeril’s Essence.” That’s his special spice blend that really amps up that “New Orleans” heat I recently learned to love. This chili was sooo flavorful, and thanks to a few tweaks on my end, insanely jam-packed with veggies. It’s hearty, comforting, spicy, and savory; everything you want in a well-balanced chili. It’s super healthy too; I only used a tablespoon of oil, and there’s no butter or cream or anything fattening like that. All the flavor comes from those spices. That’s the way to do it! Who needs fat when you’ve got spice?!
New Orleans Style Vegetarian Chili
Adapted from Emeril Lagasse’s Vegetarian Chili
1 tbsp canola oil
1 small shallot, mined
5-6 garlic cloves, minced
1/2 cup chopped red bell peppers
1/2 medium zucchini, stem ends trimmed, small diced
1/2 medium squash, stem ends trimmed, small diced
1/2 cup chopped eggplant
1 cup corn
1 cup sliced baby bella mushrooms
1 tbsp chili powder
1 tbsp ground cumin
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon cayenne
1 roma tomato, peeled, seeded and chopped
1 1/2 cups canned black beans, rinsed and drained
1 (8-ounce) can tomato sauce
1/2 cup water
1/8 cup chopped fresh cilantro leaves
Emeril’s Essence (I eyeballed the measurements according to how much I wanted… Use double the amount of paprika and garlic powder as the rest of the ingredients)
paprika
garlic powder
salt
black pepper
onion powder
cayenne pepper
dried oregano
dried thyme
In a large sauce pot, heat the oil over medium-high heat. Add the shallot and garlic and cook for about 3 minutes, until soft. Add the red pepper, zucchini, squash, eggplant, corn, and mushrooms, and cook, stirring until soft. Cook until the vegetables give off liquid and start to brown. Add the chili powder, cumin, salt and cayenne, and cook until fragrant. Stir in the tomatoes. Add the beans, tomato sauce, and water and stir well. Bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer, stirring occasionally for about 10 minutes or until chili has begun to thicken.
Remove from the heat and stir in the cilantro. Add salt and pepper to taste.
Get creative! Serve over brown rice and garnish with toppings such as sour cream or yogurt, green onions, or avocado.
If you’re a fan of chili, you are going to LOVE this week’s #SundaySupper menu. We’ve got every kind of chili imaginable. Don’t miss out on any of these recipes… And to make this week even more fun, #SundaySupper is making this Chili Cook-off into a real contest! We are letting YOU choose the winner for the best chili recipe! The winner will receive a ticket to the Food and Wine Conference (a $275 value) plus a $25 gift cert card. You can vote on the Sunday Supper website!
Will YOU be a part of the #SundaySupper Chili Cook-Off judges panel this week? Voting is live at the Sunday Supper Movement Online Community Magazine starting now and concluding (fittingly) on February 27 – National Chili Day! Browse the submissions and cast your vote by clicking HERE!
Beef and Bison Chili
- Bison & Black Bean Chili from It’s Yummi!
- Cincinnati Chili from Savvy Eats
- Easy Beef Bean Chili from The Not So Cheesy Kitchen
- Easy Chili con Carne from Manu’s Menu
- Gesundheit Chili from Magnolia Days
- Hellfire Chili from Yours And Mine Are Ours
- Hoisin Beef Chili from Small Wallet, Big Appetite
- Kim’s Kickin’ Chili from Cravings of a Lunatic
- Moroccan Harissa Spiked Chili from MarocMama
- Short Rib Chili from The Texan New Yorker
- Slow Cooker Cheeseburger Chili from Hip Foodie Mom
Pork Chili
- Apple and Red Ale Pulled Pork Chili from Curious Cuisiniere
- Pineapple Pork Chili from Melanie Makes
Chicken, Duck, and Turkey Chili
- Asian Five Spice Duck Chili from The Girl In The Little Red Kitchen
- Buffalo Turkey Chili from La Bella Vita Cucina
- Chicken and Bell Pepper Chili from That Skinny Chick Can Bake
- Chicken Meatball Chipotle Chili from Soni’s Food
- Gluten Free Turkey Chili from Gluten Free Crumbley
- Kickin’ Chicken Chili from Bobbi’s Kozy Kitchen
- Low Calorie Turkey Chili from Basic N Delicious
- Olé Mole Turkey Chili from Kudos Kitchen By Renee
- Quick & Easy Chipotle Turkey Chili from Cupcakes & Kale Chips
- Shockingly Delicious Chili Mole with Red Beans and Raisins from Shockingly Delicious
- Slow Cooker Buffalo Chicken Chili from Family Foodie
- Thai Chicken Chili from Jane’s Adventures in Dinner
- White Chicken Chili from The Foodie Army Wife
Mixed (meat combo) Chili
- Best Damn Chili Ever from Noshing With The Nolands
- Chili con Tres Carne from Hezzi-D’s Books and Cooks
- Daddy’s Favorite Chili from Momma’s Meals
- Harlem Meatloaf Chili from Neighborfood
- Leslie’s Best Chili from La Cocina de Leslie
Fish and Seafood Chili
- Scrumptious Seafood Chili from A Kitchen Hoor
Vegetarian Chili
- Easy Vegetarian Chili with Raisins and Cashews from Delaware Girl Eats
- New Orleans Style Vegetarian Chili from Take A Bite Out of Boca
- Vegan Slow Cooker Chili from Killer Bunnies, Inc
Twist-on-Chili
- Chicken Chili Cheese Fries from Cindy’s Recipes and Writings
- Chili Cornbread Cupcakes from In The Kitchen With KP
- Chili Topped Tater Tots from Ruffles & Truffles
- Spicy Chili Mac from girlichef
Best Wines To Pair with Chili #SundaySupper from ENOFYLZ Wine Blog
Join the #SundaySupper conversation on twitter on Sunday! We tweet throughout the day and share recipes from all over the world. Our weekly chat starts at 7:00 pm ET. Follow the #SundaySupper hashtag and remember to include it in your tweets to join in the chat. Check out our #SundaySupper Pinterest board for more fabulous recipes and food photos.
Would you like to join the Sunday Supper Movement? It’s easy. You can sign up by clicking here: Sunday Supper Movement.
