Vegan Chili

Earlier today before I left to teach for the day, I made a pot of vegan chili. I modified a recipe that I had and it turned out really well. Here is the recipe:

1 large onion (or 2 small ones) diced
2 garlic cloves minced
1 teaspoon Oregano
1 teaspoon Cumin
1/2 teaspoon Sage
1/4 cup Chili powder
salt to taste
1 red bell pepper diced
2 carrots shredded
1 14 0z can of Kidney Beans
1 28 oz can of crushed tomatoes
1/2 cup long grain brown rice
4 cups water
vegan sour cream and Monterrey Jack cheese for garnish

Saute onion in a skillet for about 5-7 minutes until it is very soft. Then add the garlic, oregano, cumin, sage and chili powder and saute for about 1 minute. Remove from heat and set aside. Place all other ingredients into a slow cooker and turn on high. Add the onion mixture, and let the whole thing cook for a few hours. The longer you let it cook the better. Check the chili often, you might add a can of tomato paste if you like a thicker chili. Then, place in bowls with a little vegan sour cream and cheese and your done!

This is a fantastic and filling meal. The recipe that I based it off of is from "Skinny Bitch in the Kitch." I thought they were genius for adding brown rice to chili! The long grain brown rice sort of acts as ground meat crumbles, and the bell pepper and carrots just add a little bit more vegetation. Overall this is a really tasty chili. This is perfect for a busy day because it doesn't take long to put together and then you can just leave it alone and when dinner time comes it is ready! Also, this recipe makes a lot so you will have plenty of yummy leftovers. I wish I had been able to take a few pictures, but the camera battery was dead. I will be sure to have a functioning camera next time I cook.

Well, that is about all on the dinner front. Only 2 more days until our Disney adventure begins.

Dinner at Big Bowl

Obviously, this is my very first post! I have decided to document my experiences in eating vegan at restaurants, and what I cook at home. Both my husband and I became vegan about 9 months ago and it has been a wonderful adventure! We have had mostly positive experiences at the restaurants that we have gone to. We both love to cook, so we make lots of yummy food at home as well.

Tonight Peter and I had dinner at Big Bowl, which is an Asian chain restaurant that appears in a lot of malls. We ended up there for Peter's Grandmother's birthday dinner. Usually we avoid chain restaurants because usually the options are pretty much packed with meat. We showed up prepared for the worst but we were pleasantly surprised. Not only did they have a separate vegetarian menu, but the manager even came out and talked to us to reassure us of what was vegan. Our dinners were delicious. I had Kung Pao Tofu and spinach, and Peter had the Thai Green Curry. Mine had just the right amount of spice and the tofu was cooked very well. Not mushy at all. Peter loved his green curry however, he did note that it was very spicy. Good thing he loves spicy food!

All in all, this was a fantastic dinner. It is one that I would have again. If you are vegan and you are dining with non vegans, this is a great choice.

Later this week, Peter and I will be going on vacation to Disney World. When I return, I can't wait to write about and post pictures of the meals that we have there. We have already talked to some of the chefs about our options, and it sounds like it is going to be great! Until then, I will write about some of the meals I make at home this week.