Sorta-Southwestern Stew
2 tablespoons (15 ml.) olive oil
2 small or 1 large onion, diced
1 green bell pepper, diced
4 cloves garlic, crushed
1 cup (125 g.) burger-style crumbles (I use Lightlifes Smart Ground)
1 cup (125 g.) corn kernels
1 cup (125 g.) vegetable broth
2 tablespoons (30 ml.) tomato paste
1 15 oz. (450 ml.) can diced tomatoes
2 tablespoons (15 g.) paprika
1/2 teaspoon (10 g.) cayenne pepper
1 chipotle chili, minced (if using dried chipotle, soak in very hot water for 30 minutes,
and then mince)
1 15 oz. (450 ml.) can pinto beans
salt and freshly ground pepper to taste
In a pot, sauté onion, bell pepper, and garlic in olive oil for a few minutes.
Add burger-style crumbles and corn kernels, and sauté a couple of minutes more.
Add vegetable broth, tomato paste, diced tomatoes, paprika, cayenne pepper, and chipotle chili, and stir until well combined. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 20 minutes.
Add pinto beans, salt, and pepper, and simmer for 10 minutes more. Taste to adjust the seasonings.
SO HOW'D IT GO?
I thought a few background notes and serving suggestions for this recipe might be helpful:
This can be construed as either a stew or chili due to its consistency - I opted for the term *stew* because I live with a Texan who claims anything other than his interpretation of chili is an impostor (I might convince him to submit his *authentic* chili recipe so that the world can be set straight on the matter, once and for all).
The recipe came together in a last ditch effort to create something out of nothing - it's made up of all ingredients I usually have on hand, but *refrigerator stew* sounds a bit unappealing.
Okay, for the tips: I recommend serving the stew in a bowl, with a slice of cornbread at the bottom (it's what I did, and it was pretty swell). Or mix it with some cooked macaroni noodles and have yourself a slightly different version of Chili Mac (I did this the second time around and it was equally swell). ;D