Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 large onion, chopped
- 2 large bell peppers (1 green, 1 red), chopped
- 3 medium carrots, finely chopped
- Kosher salt
- 6 cloves garlic, finely chopped
- 3 tablespoons chili powder
- 1 tablespoon ground cumin
- 2 teaspoons ground coriander
- 2 teaspoons dried oregano
- 1/2 to 1 chipotle chile pepper in adobo sauce, chopped
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- 2 corn tortillas, torn into pieces
- 1/2 cup brewed coffee
- 1 28-ounce can whole plum tomatoes, crushed by hand
- 2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
- 2 15-ounce cans pinto beans, drained and rinsed
- 1/2 head cauliflower
- 1/2 cup finely chopped fresh cilantro, plus torn leaves for topping (optional)
- Shredded reduced-fat cheddar cheese, sliced scallions and/ or plain low-fat Greek yogurt, for topping (optional)
Directions
Heat the olive oil in a large saucepan or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the onion, bell peppers, carrots and 1/2 teaspoon salt; cook, stirring frequently, until the carrots begin to soften, about 8 minutes. Add the garlic and cook 2 more minutes. Add the chili powder, cumin, coriander, oregano, chipotle, tomato paste and tortillas and cook, stirring, until the tomato paste is brick red, about 4 minutes (add a splash of water if the mixture begins to stick). Add the coffee and simmer until almost completely reduced, about 30 seconds. Stir in the tomatoes, cocoa powder, beans and 2 1/2 cups water and bring to a simmer over low heat. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the chili thickens slightly, about 1 hour, 30 minutes.
Meanwhile, trim the large stems off the cauliflower and coarsely grate the florets on a box grater. About 10 minutes before the chili is done cooking, stir in the grated cauliflower. Cook 10 minutes, then remove from the heat. Stir in the chopped cilantro and season with salt. Add some water if the chili is too thick. Ladle into bowls and add toppings.
Photograph by Con Poulos

Photo: Spicy Vegetarian Chili Recipe

















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By catimm
on April 02, 2013
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This is the worst thing I have ever tasted. I followed the recipe exactly and it was terrible. I have made several recipes off this website and this was hugely disappointing.
By kfr33man1
Richmond, KY
on March 25, 2013
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3 out of my 5 family members loved it! My DD doesn't like anything, so she doesn't count, LOL! Our oldest son surprised me when he didn't like it b/c he loves spicy foods. But, he didn't care for all of the veggies and no meat. However, our 12 yr old son, my DH and myself loved it. My DH hates cauliflower, and he said he couldn't even tell it was in the chili. In fact, he and my DS were fighting over the last bowl. I am making my second batch of this chili within 2 weeks per their requests, and I'm sure I'll be making it again soon. Thanks for sharing a healthy recipe.
By giotta
on February 04, 2013
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I thought this chili was excellent! I was skeptical about the cauliflower providing the meat texture but lo and behold it actually did! The only subsitution I made was to lessen the chili powder a bit since my bf doesn't like it too spicy and I thought it was perfect! A real winner...
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