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Chili sin carne with red beans

17/11/2023

“Chili sin Carne” is a vegetarian version of the classic “Chili con Carne”. This dish is full of flavor and offers a nice contrast of spices and textures, even without meat. Here is the recipe with an Italian twist.

Ingredients

  • 400 g of canned red beans, rinsed and drained
  • 1 large onion, chopped
  • 2 cloves of garlic, chopped
  • 1 red bell pepper, cut into cubes
  • 400 g of canned peeled tomatoes
  • 2 tablespoons of tomato paste
  • 250 ml of vegetable broth
  • 1 teaspoon of chili powder (or more to taste)
  • 1 teaspoon of ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon of ground coriander
  • 1 teaspoon of dried oregano
  • Extra virgin olive oil
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Optional for an Italian touch:

  • 1 bunch of fresh basil to garnish
  • grated Parmesan cheese to taste

Preparation

  1. In a large pan or casserole, heat a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil and sauté the chopped onion until it becomes translucent.
  2. Add the garlic and bell pepper and sauté for a few minutes, until they are soft.
  3. Stir in the spices – chili powder, cumin, coriander, and oregano – and cook for another minute to enhance their aromas.
  4. Add the peeled tomatoes with their juice and the tomato paste. Mix well.
  5. Pour in the vegetable broth and bring to a boil.
  6. Reduce the heat, add the red beans and let it simmer, uncovered, for about 20-30 minutes, until the chili thickens and the flavors blend well.
  7. Adjust the salt and pepper and, if you desire more heat, add more chili powder to taste.
  8. Serve hot, with fresh basil leaves and a sprinkle of grated Parmesan on top, if you want an Italian touch to this international dish.

Curiosity

Chili sin Carne is a perfect variant for those following a vegetarian or vegan diet, and by incorporating basil and Parmesan cheese, we make it a bit more our own, marrying the richness of the chili with the freshness and distinction of Italian flavors.

Chili sin carne with red beans