Whip It Up: Week Three

That, there, would be a device called a Crock Pot.

Now, the only thing we ever use a Crock Pot for is to cook a big batch of meatballs for a party. Since this is a recipe post, I might as well pause for a moment and tell you that my meatball recipe consists of a bag of Costco meatballs, two jars of chili sauce, and a big jar of grape jelly. Party meatball recipes are pretty easy. Basically, there is a list of party meatball ingredients--grape jelly, Coca-Cola, ketchup, chili sauce, apricot jam--and you choose two that sound really weird together, pour them in a Crock Pot with the balls, and you have a party appetizer in four to six hours.

But today we are not going to be making meatballs because a) we have been very good vegetarians, mostly; b) there are only three ingredients involved in the meatball recipe which would be a total cop out (the lower limit is four ingredients); and c) meatballs should be reserved for parties.  We need that last rule or I just might eat party meatballs everyday.

So, instead, we are making vegetarian chili. This requires a boatload of ingredients.

And a boatload of chopping.

I only cut up one mushroom and then Will took over the chopping. Am I still completing the Whip It Up Challenge if my husband does all the work? I was managing the whole production so I totally think it counts.

Also, you have to open a boatload of cans. I would suggest getting one of those electric can openers for this recipe. Or maybe do some push-ups to get ready for all that manual can opening. It's hard work.

The Official Whip It Up Apron from Sara keepin' me clean.

You have to cook some stuff up in a fryin' pan and then you dump all the cans and vegetables and some other things I can't remember because I think by this point I was over on the couch reading a magazine while Will took over (upper management is the way to go, folks) and then you dump it into the Crock Pot and cook it forever (i.e. 6 hours). Clearly, you must know you are going to want to eat this, like, way in advance. Who does that?

So, the chili was pretty good, although, I think "chili" is a bit of a misnomer. It does not taste like Hormel or Cattle Drive, is what I mean, and if that is what you are looking for, well, this is probably not the way to go.  But it is loaded with good-for-you things and way better for you than a tub full o' meatballs.

The recipe, adapted from Seprah who adapted it from Delicious Delicious (so, basically, it is totally not the same recipe anymore), is after the jump.

1 tbsp. olive oil
2 medium onions, chopped
1 yellow pepper, diced
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 tsp. cumin
1 tsp. oregano
2 jalapeno peppers
1 serrano pepper
2 15-oz. cans black beans, drained
1 15-oz. can kidney beans, drained
1 15-oz. can pinto beans, drained
1 can corn, drained
1 15-oz. can diced tomatoes
5 mushrooms, sliced
1 can tomato paste
2 cups vegetable stock
1/2 can water

1. Heat oil in large skillet over medium-high heat. Add onions, and yellow pepper and saute until translucent.

2. Add garlic and hot peppers and saute until everything has sweated but is not browned. Sweated? Is that even a word. I didn't write this shit, people.

3. Add all ingredients to crock-pot and set for four hours.  Salt and pepper to taste.

Serve with some cornbread.

Comments

[JP]

Does it get any better than cornbread and chili? Thanks for the recipe, it looks delish. I have to find a Crock Pot and try it.

[kathryn]

YUM YUM!!

[Nicole]

Well, it looks delicious! And J totally does all the cooking. xo

[Lani]

Another yummy ingredient to add is veggie ground round (fake ground beef). Makes for a yummy texture :)

[Morgan]

Ooh, that chili is looking good right now (I'm really sad... it's not even 10am yet, haha).

I do the party meatball thing too, but your's sounds a lot more tasty than what I do -- Costco meatballs + KC Masterpiece. I'm trying your recipe next time!

[Michele]

There's an awesome veggie chili recipe in a cookbook called Vegan Vittles, and it does, indeed, taste like chili. And it's easy to make. ALSO---being the total Trader Joes fiend that you are, I can't believe you haven't discovered TJ's vegetarian meatballs. YUM!!!

[Quirky]

I gotta tell ya, you lost me at party meatballs... grape jelly?!
I've made my share of chili- ranging from healthy to hearty, vegetarian to a 3 meat combo... but this party chili is a new concept!

[cupcake]

I really like your nail polish. I know it is supposed to be about the food, but I really like the color. The chili looks delicious, too.

[RA]

Oh, Janet, revert to Will in times of dire emergency, like when I thought I was going to burn my arms off from hot oil, and JG browned chicken for me. At the very least, if he does the cooking, make him wear the apron! :)

[Zandria]

I like the part about having Will handle some/all of the dirty work. I want a personal chef, too! :)