Vegetarian or Turkey Apple Chili

emaybe

I used to make this at least once a month with turkey, but I've returned to a veggie lifestyle and tried it for the first time the other night with fake meat instead of real meat... and I couldn't tell the difference! SWEET!! Anyway, I posted about it and a few folks asked for the recipe, so here it is...

INGREDIENTS:
2 cans red kidney beans, drained
1 cup tomato sauce (I use canned spanish-style tomato sauce for added flavour)
1/2 a yellow onion, chopped
1 large clove of garlic, minced
1 red bell pepper, chopped
1 cup unsweetened apple juice
2 tbsp Smart Balance/Earth Balance butter spread (use one suitable for cooking)
1 tbsp brown sugar
1/2 tsp cinnamon
2 tsp paprika
1/2 tsp ground cayenne pepper (or to taste)
2 cups Morningstar Meal Starters Grillers-style Veggie Crumbles (or any other pseudo-meat product, or ground turkey (adds ~110 cals per serving)

**Serves 4 at ~350 calories per serving.**

1. Heat 1 tbsp of your butter substitute over medium-high heat. Sauté onions until they are clear. Add in red pepper. Sauté until browned. Add garlic, sauté until browned.

2. Slowly stir in apple juice and tomato sauce. Return to a boil and add red beans. Mash a few times with a potato masher or fork to break up some of the beans.

3. Add brown sugar, cinnamon, paprika and cayenne. Stir and taste. Adjust seasonings to your preference (I usually end up adding more cayenne at this stage).

4. After a few minutes, add veggie crumbles (or other meat substitute, or ground turkey) and other tbsp of butter substitute (optional, but vastly improves taste for ~20 cals a serving if you ask me).

5. Return to boil, cook for 30-60 minutes, stirring occasionally (be sure to scrape the bottom of the pot to prevent burning).

This is a VERY thick chili -- if you like it saucier, add more apple juice, tomato sauce, vegetable broth or water.

Enjoy!

I assume this could also be made in a slow cooker, but since I don't own one you'll have to try it for yourself.