Name: Mushroom-Lentil Chili
Cook time: 35 min
Total time: 35 min
Ingredients: 1 (10 ounce) package of white or cremini mushrooms; 2 tablespoons olive oil; ¼ teaspoon coarse salt; 1 medium onion, finely chopped, about 1 cup; 3 garlic cloves, minced, about 1 tablespoon; 2 tablespoons chili powder; 1 teaspoon cumin; ¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes; ½ cup dry French, brown, or green lentils, rinsed (if using canned, use 1 cup drained and rinsed); 1 1/2 cups tomato sauce; 1 cup water or vegetable broth; 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce; 2 tablespoons tamari or soy sauce; 2 tablespoons tomato paste; 1 tablespoon maple syrup; 1 tablespoon yellow mustard; 1 chipotle pepper in adobo sauce, minced, plus 1 tablespoon of sauce; Salt to taste

Incendiary or sweet, chunky or smooth, on a carrot dog or over rice, chili in any of its (vegan) permutations is a dish full of flavor and healthy ingredients.

1 (10 ounce) package of white or cremini mushrooms

2 tablespoons olive oil

¼ teaspoon coarse salt

1 medium onion, finely chopped, about 1 cup

3 garlic cloves, minced, about 1 tablespoon

2 tablespoons chili powder

1 teaspoon cumin

¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes

½ cup dry French, brown, or green lentils, rinsed (if using canned, use 1 cup drained and rinsed)

1 1/2 cups tomato sauce

1 cup water or vegetable broth

2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce

2 tablespoons tamari or soy sauce

2 tablespoons tomato paste

1 tablespoon maple syrup

1 tablespoon yellow mustard

1 chipotle pepper in adobo sauce, minced, plus 1 tablespoon of sauce

Salt to taste

Finely chop or pulse mushrooms in a food processor until pieces are about the size of lentils. Heat oil in a large pan and add mushrooms. Sprinkle with salt and cook for about 10 minutes, or until the moisture has evaporated and the mushrooms are starting to browning nicely. Add onions and garlic. Cook, while stirring occasionally, until onions are soft and translucent, and mushrooms are dark brown. Add chili powder, cumin, and crushed red pepper flakes then cook for a few minutes until spices are fragrant.

Add lentils to pan along with; tomato sauce, vegetable broth, Worcestershire sauce, tamari, tomato paste, syrup, mustard, and chipotle pepper with sauce. Stir to combine then cook for about 15 to 20 minutes, or until lentils are tender and flavors have mingled together. If water evaporates before lentils are tender, add a little more. Taste and adjust seasonings.