Vegetarian Chili

It's Shravan month in Hindu calendar. And we don't eat any kind of meat (chicken, egg or even fish). So I made this Vegetarian Chili/ Taco Soup/ Soy soup for our dinner. I have had chicken chilli (we don't eat beef so have never tasted meat chili) before. This is my vegetarianized Indian version of it. This soup is packed with protein, iron and various minerals that it’s a meal in itself. It is also a leaner version with soy meat rather than chicken/ meat. I serve this with whole grain toast.

Ingredients:

·   Ground Soy meat – 1 pkg. ( 14 oz/ 2 cups - I use Ground Sausage Style Veggie protein from Trader Joe.)

·   Onion – 1 medium size/ 1 cup chopped

·   Tomato – 1 medium size/ half cup chopped
·   Garlic - 6 Cloves -  Finely chopped 

·   Turmeric powder – ½ tsp.

·   Chili powder – 1½ tsp.

·   Taco seasoning dry powder – 2 tsp. (½ oz)

·   Tomato paste – 1 Can

·   Kidney beans – 1 Can

·   Black beans – 1 Can

·   Oil – 2 tsp.

·   Water – As required/ about 4 to 5 cups.

Method of Preparation:

~ In a large pan, add some oil and fry onions till translucent.

~ Add garlic, soy meat broken in chunks, and fry them on medium heat until soy meat is cooked (about 5 to 9 minutes).

~ Add salt just enough for this mixture.

~ Now add turmeric, chili powder, taco seasoning and mix.

~ Add tomatoes and tomato paste and continue to fry for another 3 minutes.

~ Add a cup of water and mix them thoroughly.

~ Now add kidney beans and black beans with their liquid and mix thoroughly.

~ Adjust the water as required. [Add little more water than soup consistency.]

~ Simmer on low heat for 25 minutes. Then, open the lid and continue to boil for another 5 minutes.

~ Serve it hot with toast.

Serves: About 5 to 6 people | Prep Time: About 10 min. | Cooking Time: About 45 min.

Tips:

·    Keep a check on the salt, since the canned beans will usually add salt to your dish.

·    If you don’t find fresh soy meat, you can use dried soy crumbs. Soak them in warm water for half hour before using it.
·    You can substitute water with vegetable broth.

Update:
Sending this to Dish it out on Vardhini's Zesty Palette via 
 Dish it out : Tomato And Chilli Event on Reva's Kaarasaaram  

Sending this to Mehjabeen's Iftar nights event

Sending this to The Pumpkin Farm's CFE event