Lentil/bulgur chili

I hope you all aren't tired of me posting these vegetarian things....  I just keep finding good ones!  This is really a great chili- I have to thank my loseit friend Steve for the recipe.  He sent it to me via Facebook and with a few adjustments- it is wonderful!

Chili plus an avocado and tomato wrap

This has lentils and bulgur wheat in it.  I happened to have some bulgur (this is such a strange word, bulger, it isn't sexy sounding like lentils.  Idk, that is just my gut reaction) wheat in my cupboard, probably because I saw a recipe with it and then never made or couldn't find the said recipe.  This happens all the time, but Pinterest has helped a lot.  If I pin the recipes at least I can find them again!  Anyway, I would have thought that there would be some sort of actual beans in the recipe, but it doesn't and it is fine!  The combo of the lentils plus the grain is really good and substantial.

Ingredients- except for the red pepper

Saute the vegetables

Add the zucchini with the tomatoes and broth

I used things that would enhance the "meaty" taste of chili and provide the deep flavors.  So I made a few adjustments to the original recipe instructions.  I always wait to put garlic in until just before I add the wet ingredients, and I always lightly cook the spices with the veggies in oil to bring out their flavors.  The olive oil helps release the aromatics and taste in the spices.  The only thing I didn't have that I wished for in this recipe was portabella mushrooms.  That would have added to the heartiness, but it is good anyway.

Chili powder and cumin

Develop the flavor of the garlic and spices before adding the liquids

Lentils and Bulgur

I have been loving the lighter pink or red lentils, but the regular old brown ones did the trick for this particular application.  The bulgur wheat is quick cooking, and I used low sodium vegetable broth.  The recipe calls for diced tomatoes, and I used fire-roasted tomatoes to up the flavor ante.  My secret weapon, though, balsamic vinegar.  You're welcome!

Lentil-Bulgur Chili

You could put most any vegetable in here that you like.  I wish I would have had mushrooms, but didn't.  Zucchini is my addition, mostly because I had some and wanted to use it up, plus I had a red pepper in there, but had chopped it up before I took a picture. If you like green peppers, use that instead of or in addition to the red pepper, plus a hot pepper or two would have been good as well.

1 large diced onion
1 red pepper, diced
1 - 2 tablespoons olive oil

4 cloves of garlic, crushed or pressed through a garlic press
2 Tablespoons chili powder
2 teaspoons cumin

1 can diced tomatoes (fire roasted)
2 cups sliced zucchini
4 cups of vegetable broth
1 cup of water
1 cup of regular brown lentils
1/2 cup bulgur wheat (quick cooking)
Salt, pepper to taste. I actually didn't use any salt.

And the secret ingredient- 1 or 2 tablespoons of balsamic vinegar.

Saute the onion and pepper in olive oil for a few minutes, until soft and beginning to brown a bit.  Right  as the veggies are done, add the garlic, saute about 30 seconds until you can smell it.  Sprinkle the chili powder and cumin over veggies, stirring, for about a minute.  Don't let the garlic scorch!

Add tomatoes, zucchini, broth, water, lentils and bulgur. Cook for about 30 minutes on low, just simmering, partly covered.  Stir occasionally. Turn off heat and add balsamic vinegar.  Stir and let set for a few minutes before serving.  I used a little cayenne pepper on mine, and you could use hot sauce if desired.  And I imagine you could put cheese, sour cream and the like on top as well, or any kind of toppings that would amuse you!  This tastes better after sitting in the frig for a while, as the flavors of course develop over time.  Lucky us!

This is one of those recipes that will be made again! I might make some coucous or quinoa to ladle the chili over tomorrow.

Until next time- find your joy in a healthy way!

Rainy Saturday Morning

I was prepared this morning to get a lot done, but I had no idea that it would be inside things instead of outside things.  So apparently the last several objects that should be moved to the garage, dug into the garden and the brussel sprouts that need rescuing will have to wait.

So after dragging my sorry self out of bed today, oh was I tired, I began thinking about what to do.  And in typical Debi fashion I sort of veered this way and that!  I started off by planning to make a lentil/bulger chili and maybe reorganize the upstairs a little.  I am having a "little" company next week.

So I made oatmeal, which led to me discovering a package of barley that had seen better days, this is while I was searching for where the dried cherries went to.....  I decided I could clean that shelf, and then expanded it to the entire cupboard upon further inspection.  After taking everything out, I decided it could certainly use new shelf paper, and then of course I had to touch up the paint a little too.....  You see where this is going.  And btw, I did have the oatmeal and it was delish.

While doing that I found the lentils and started cooking the lentil chili, which I will blog in a little while.  It is fabulous!  YUM MO.  Of course, now I have to find a place in the frig for it, but that shouldn't be a problem, since I cleaned out one of the shelves in the frig as well....  Yeah, I know.

There was literally NOTHING on tv that I wanted to listen to, so I turned on Spotify and found an app there called Bluenote- and I am presently listening to a Blues Radio.  A Jeff Healey Band is playing and I LOVE it.  Just the right thing to be cleaning and cooking and relining shelves to.

While cleaning and cooking and relining shelves and listening to Blues, my mind has the freedom to wander (really??) and I began using Siri to make notes and reminders and shopping lists for myself.  I love her!!  My new phone is amazing, I am so glad I got it.  Siri is wonderful, I don't need my reading glasses, which are usually "lost" on the top of my head, and I have everything saved that I thought of so far this morning.  SCORE for the short of memory sort!  :) I set up the phone almost all by myself last Wednesday evening, though I was fraught with anxiety, and a nice, young, southern gentleman from AT&T held my virtual hand through the whole thing and we got it accomplished.  He was very patient and helpful and professional and he laughed at my stupid jokes, so he got a glowing review the next day when AT&T texted me their survey.

So now I am on the verge of finishing the first shelf, completely, and going onto the next one.  I am hoping for a break in the rain so I can get a walk in.  I will walk regardless, there is such a thing as an umbrella.... and a raincoat..... and a plastic bag so Siri doesn't get all wet.

Onward!!  I hope to be slightly more linear this afternoon, but we all know that isn't going to happen.  That is how the Mad Art Teacher rolls!

Until later- be a joy giver!!