Vegan Pumpkin Chipotle Chili

This recipe was inspired by this blog...http://thescrumptiouspumpkin.com/2012/10/24/drunken-pumpkin-chili/

I changed some of it, primarily taking the meat out of it, but it is very much based on it.

This turned out really good. I love salty, sweet, spicy, and savory dishes. The pumpkin does sweeten it over time, so if you do not like sweet in your savory dishes at all this may not be the chili for you. If you are like me though, you will LOVE it. It's a healthy one pot dish that is perfect for a cold Fall meatless Monday!

Ingredients:
1 tbsp olive oil
2 large garlic cloves, minced
1 large onion, diced
2 medium green peppers, diced
1/4 can of adobo chipotle peppers or 2 tbsp of puree
28 oz can of fire roasted tomatoes
1 bottle of pumpkin beer ( I used pumpkin ale by aleworks)
15 oz can of pinto beans
15 oz can of black beans
15 oz can of kidney beans
15 oz can of pure pumpkin puree (not pumpkin pie puree)
2 tbsp of lemon juice
2 tbsp of chili powder
1 tbsp of garlic powder
1 tbsp of cumin
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 tbsp of turmeric
green onions
Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:
1. Heat tbsp of olive oil in a large pot until shimmering and add minced garlic, diced onions, and green peppers.
2. Saute veggies for about 5-6 minutes on medium heat until the onions are translucent and the veggies are very fragrant.
3. Add the can of fire roasted tomatoes and mix in with the veggies.
4. Drain and rinse kidney, black, and pinto beans in a colander. Then add into the pot with other ingredients.
5. Add pumpkin puree to the chili and stir.
6. To prepare the chipotle peppers, add the can of adobo chipotle peppers into a blender and blend until smooth. Use 2 heaping tbsp of the chipotle pepper puree into the chili. Add more if you like it more spicy. I put the rest of the puree in a small glass container to save for sauces for other recipes.
7. Add lemon juice, chili powder, garlic, cumin, cinnamon, turmeric, and salt and pepper to taste. Stir and mix all chili ingredients.
8. Pour bottle of pumpkin beer into chili.
9. Bring the chili to a slow boil and let the chili simmer and reduce until it is at the consistency of your liking. I simmered mine uncovered for 30 minutes.
10. Stir the chili frequently as it is simmering so the beans do not get stuck on the bottom, serve and garnish with green onions, tortilla chips, cheese, or sour cream (if you don't want to keep it vegan). Enjoy!

Meatless Mondays: Chickpea Nicoise Salad

This salad is an original recipe but obviously inspired by nicoise salads with meat in it. The salad was delicious, I barely missed having meat. Highly recommend this when you're in the mood for a light dinner. This recipe makes about 1 serving, simply double for 2 recipes.

Ingredients:
2 cups of romaine lettuce, rinsed and chopped
1 cup of baby spinach
1/4 onion sliced
1/2 tomato diced
2 eggs, hard boiled and peeled
1 cup green beans, washed and trimmed
2 tbsp Mrs. Dash seasoning
Salt and pepper to taste
1/2 cup of canned chickpeas, rinsed and drained
1/4 cup of gorgonzola cheese or blue cheese

Maple Dijon Vinaigrette Dressing:
1 tbsp of dijon mustard
1 tbsp of white wine vinegar
1 tsp olive oil
1 tsp lemon juice
1 tsp maple syrup
1 tsp herbs de provence
salt and pepper to taste

1. Add two eggs to rolling boiling water. Cook for 10 minutes. Set aside in cold water for a few minutes to let the egg shrink away from the shell for easy peeling.
2. In another medium-large pot, add about 6 cups of water and Mrs. Dash seasoning (I used garlic and herb) and a heaping pinch of salt to the water.
3. Bring the seasoned water to a boil and add the green beans. Boil for 10 minutes or until slightly softened.
4. Begin preparing the salad by laying down the romaine and spinach on a plate.
5. Add sliced onions, 1/2 cup of rinsed and drained chickpeas, 1/4 cup of gorgonzola cheese, diced tomato, sliced and peeled hard boiled eggs, and )using a serving spoon with drain holes) add the green beans on to the bed of lettuce.
6. Prepare the dressing by combining all dressing ingredients in a bowl and whisking together until emulsified. If the dressing seems too thick add more vinegar, if its clumpy whisk more or add more mustard.
7. Spoon 2 tbsp of dressing over the salad and enjoy!

Meatless Mondays: Spicy Black Bean Burgers

These burgers turned out very good! They are very flavorful and stayed together!

This recipe was inspired by this recipe, but I did make it my own.
Whole Foods black bean burger recipe

Ingredients: (Makes 6 burgers)
1 can of black beans, rinsed and drained
2 large shallots, finely chopped
1 cup of rolled oats, uncooked
1 egg
1 tsp of garlic powder
1 tsp Mrs. Dash
1 tsp italian seasoning
1 tsp red pepper flakes
1/2 tsp of chili powder
Dash of hot sauce
1/2 cup of chunky salsa (add more if needed)
Salt and pepper to taste
1 tsp olive oil
Slices of cheddar cheese (optional)

Instructions:
1. Place rinsed and drained beans in a mixing bowl. Using a fork, mash the beans until they become somewhat of a paste.
2. Add the chopped shallots, egg, cup of rolled oats and mix well.
3. Add 1/2 cup of chunky salsa, hot sauce, garlic powder, Mrs. Dash seasoning, italian seasoning, red pepper flakes, chili powder, and salt and pepper to the bean mixture. Mix all ingredients together until well combined.
4. Heat the olive oil in a large frying pan until shimmering.
5. Form the black bean mixture into patties that are about 3-4 inches wide and 1 inch thick. (Think small hamburgers)
6. Place them in the shimmering oil and cook on medium heat for 5 minutes per side until nicely browned. If you would like to add cheese, place one slice on each burger two minutes before the burgers are done to melt.
7. Serve with whole grain buns or in lettuce wraps with ketchup, mustard, onions, tomato, and lettuce or whatever garnishes you like on your burgers. I served mine with sweet potato fries and salad. Enjoy!

Black Bean and Veggie Enchiladas with Homemade Sauce

This recipe was inspired by seeing how expensive enchilada sauce in a can is and realizing how more cost effective and easy it would be to make it home! This recipe was delicious, as most enchiladas are, and was inspired by the links below.

Enchiladas
http://www.tasteofhome.com/recipes/black-bean-veggie-enchiladas

Enchilada Sauce
http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/emeril-lagasse/easy-enchilada-sauce-recipe/index.html

Ingredients for Enchilada Sauce:
2 tbsp of coconut oil or vegetable oil
2 tbsp of flour
1 tsp oregano
2 tsp of chipotle or chili flakes
1 10 oz can of organic tomato paste
2 cups of vegetable or chicken stock
Dashes of tabasco sauce (depending on how spicy you like the sauce, I added 4 dashes)
Salt to taste

Ingredients for Enchiladas:
1 tsp of olive oil
2 bell peppers, sliced
1 large onion, sliced
1 can of green chiles
1 can of black beans, drained
1 tbsp of lime juice
1 tbsp of minced garlic
1 tsp of oregano
1 tbsp chopped fresh cilantro
Salt and pepper to taste
6 Whole wheat tortillas
2/3 cup of shredded cheese (Optional)

Instructions for Enchilada Sauce:
1. Heat 2 tbsp of coconut oil or vegetable oil in a medium saucepan for approx. 30 seconds
2. Add the 2 tbsp of flour to the oil and stir until dissolved. Approx. 30 seconds
3. Add oregano and chipotle flakes, stir.
4. Add tomato paste and 2 cups of stock. Whisk together in saucepan.
5. Add dashes of tabasco sauce and salt to taste.
6. Bring to a slow boil and simmer for 15 minutes while preparing the enchiladas.

Instructions for Enchiladas: (Preheat oven to 350 F)
1. Heat 1 tsp of olive oil in a large sauté pan
2. Add sliced green peppers and sliced onions to the oil. Saute' peppers and onions on medium heat for 3-5 minutes until onions are translucent.
3. Add can of green chiles, drained black beans, lime juice, garlic, cilantro, and oregano. Stir to mix ingredients and sauté for 3 more minutes.
4. Add salt and pepper to taste.
5. Spoon the black beans and veggie mixture into the tortillas. Add just enough down the middle of the tortilla so that its easy to close but you still get a good amount of black beans and veggies.
6. Roll the tortilla and place seam side down into a 13 x 9 rectangular baking dish.
7. Do this for all 6 tortillas.
8. Gently pour all sauce equally over the tortillas.
9. Sprinkle cheese on top (optional)
10. Bake in the 350 degree oven for 20-25 minutes until cheese is melted and sauce is bubbling.