This full bodied chili you can make as hot as you like and serve three garnishes for cooling down: sour cream, scallions and grated cheese.
* Did you know dairy is THE BEST for cooling down chili pepper heat? If you make it too hot for a guest, just have them stir in a huge dollop of sour cream and grated cheese.
1 small – medium eggplant, cut into 1/2 (ish) inch cubes. — even if you think you don’t like eggplant, try this. It adds meaty texture and flavor to your chili.
1 Tablespoon coarse salt
Place the eggplant in a colander , toss it with the salt and let sit for an hour to remove excess moisture. Pat dry with paper towels.
1/2 Cup Extra Virgin Olive Oil
2 onions, diced about 1/4 inch
2 zucchini, diced about 1/4 inch
1 red bell pepper, diced about 1/4 inch
1 yellow pepper, diced about 1/4 inch
4 large cloves garlic, smashed or chopped
8 – 10 ripe fresh plum tomatoes OR canned, cut or broken by hand inot about 1 inch pieces
1 Cup vegetable stock (homemade if you have) – recipe here
1 Cup chopped flat leaf Italian parsley
1/2 cup slivered fresh basil (or frozen if you grew some and put it up last summer !)
3 Tablespoons really good chili powder
1 1/2- 2 Tablespoons toasted ground cumin (toasting is optional and SO worth it)
1 Tablespoon dried oregano
1 Teaspoon ground black pepper
1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (more if you like, but be careful)
Salt to taste
2 cups cooked black beans (cook your own! They really do taste better. Yes, you can use canned in a pinch) you can also use any other bean you like in this chili.
1 1/2 Cups fresh or frozen corn kernels
1/2 Cup chopped fresh dill
1/4 – 1/2 Cup lemon juice
Garnish:
Sour Cream
Grated Monterey Jack or cheddar or combo
Chopped scallions
cilantro leaves
- Heat 1/4 Cup Olive oil in large pot ( I use a wide, deep braising pan)
- Add onion, zucchini, bell peppers and garlic . Saute over medium-low heat about 10 minutes.
- In a separate skillet, heat remaining 1/4 Cup Olive Oil and saute eggplant until just tender about 10 minutes. Use a slotted spoon to transfer eggplant to chili pot.
- Add vege stock, tomatoes, 1/2 cup parsley, basil and spices to pot. Over low heat, cook about 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Add black beans, corn, dill and lemon juice. Cook another 15 minutes to blend all the flavors
- Adjust salt and seasonings to taste
- Stir in remaining parsley
- Serve hot with a dollop of sour cream, a sprinkle of cheese and scallions and a dash of cilantro leaves
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