Three Sisters Lentil Chili
Last night was our monthly young families’ night and I was stumped. I’ve been travelling a lot lately and between trying to get caught up on my “real” work and tidying the house for guests, I didn’t have a lot of time for supper preparations. Sister #3 came to my rescue with an enormous pot of what we call “Three Sisters Lentil Chili”.
She says that it is a snap to make but it actually tastes very complex-between the sweetness of the carrot, the tartness from the salsa, the slightly spicy taste of the chili powder. The texture is varied too, between the variety of beans and lentils.
She has a very good friend who is vegan and this is the dish that she makes for her when her gf is visiting from Toronto. We served it with a sprinkling of cheese but that is an after thought. This is truly a vegan dish.
Here is the recipe:
Three Sisters Lentil Chili
2 tbsp + 2 tsp extra virgin olive oil1 medium onion, diced
2 medium carrots, diced
1 red pepper, diced
3 cloves garlic
1 19 oz can lentils, drained and rinsed
1 19 oz can black beans, drained and rinsed 1 19 oz mixed beans (kidney, pinto and chick peas), drained & rinsed
1 28 oz can plum tomatoes
2 tbsp tomato paste
1/4 cup medium salsa
2 tbsp + 1 tsp chili powder
1 tsp cumin
1 tsp oregano
1 tsp basil
1 12 oz (340 g) package Yves Veggie Ground Round
- Heat a large pot. Add the oil and onion. Sauté until the onion is translucent, approximately 3 minutes
- Add the carrots, red pepper, and the garlic. Sauté for 2 minutes
- Add the can of lentils, kidney beans, plum tomatoes, tomato paste, salsa, chili powder, cumin, oregano, and basil
- Bring to the boil. Reduce heat, cover and simmer for 20 minutes or until the carrots are tender
- Add the package of Yves Veggie ground round and heat through.
Serves 8
I had roasted some leeks the day before and made this swirled bread. Sister #3 also provided some left over corn bread. If we had not been entertaining such little ones, I might have served the dish with taco chips too. Those delicious but pesky chips can get caught in toddlers’ throats.
For dessert we had strawberries and bananas dipped in sour cream and brown sugar AND a surprize birthday cake: brown flour and carrot cake with a light and delicious cream cheese icing. I was so busy trying to facilitate the kids getting their supper, that I forgot to get a picture of the beautiful cake!
Kath’s quote: “Lentils are friendly—the Miss Congeniality of the bean world.”
-Laurie Colwin
Sounds like an awesome supp, Kathryne! It’s great when someone comes to the rescue with the main course, lol! ove the story and photos, as usual.
Thanks for your continued support Steve. Hope to see you soon.
Sorry I couldn’t participate but the week was crazy….looks like a great recipe.
I’m definitely going to try this one. And the roasted leek bread. Looks fantastic!
No worries V. Thanks for your ongoing support.
Laur-you’ve always been my #1 fan (next to the sistas!)
I’m a big fan of lentils. This looks like a WINNER! / C
Isn’t family great! The best recipes come out of these crazy times. Your evening sounded divine… not to mention the great dinner. I would love to know how you made the bread. I have a 3-bean chili recipe I love to bring out as well so I can guarantee you that I will be trying this one.
Wow – that was vegan? The texture and flavour were great! It had a very rugged style to it. I might have to rename it to Three Cowboys Chili. : )
Sounds wonderful – I will definitely try it!
Thanks Christine-here’s hoping!
Sounds YUMMY! I’ll bet our kids at Liberty School would love this. Maybe the next time you are on the island we will sign you up to make lunch one day. :)
Love the sound of the lentil chili and the bread. Will definately try both recipes!
Hey Gwen: roasted the leeks the day prior and the chopped them finely. Made a basic bread in my bread maker and added the leeks at the “add ingredients” signal. When the cycle was over, the leeks were mostly smushed up at the bottom of the canister so I removed the dough and rolled it to create the swirl effect. That is to say, improvising when things didn’t work out as I had planned.
Sister #3 and I intentionally didn’t mention anything to see if anyone noticed that it wasn’t actually ground meat in it.
Thanks Marnie. How are things? Missed you at the last Media Chicks get together.
Thanks Carolyn. Hope to see you again very soon.
You are on Marla! The kids that we served it to, loved it and it was so nutritious and good for them.
Can’t wait to make this recipe! Sounds absolutely delicious.
Thanks Margaret. You already know that Sister #3 is an Ace in the kitchen-or even just with a knife, bowl and cutting board!
Yumm
Looking forward to trying fast, tasty, and healthy.
Yumm
I’ll try it and let you know.
Thank you Lovie. You will love it-so, so easy.
Wow, I bet Jer might even like this one!
I bet he would too-perhaps not the kidney beans though, but you could delete or substitute.
I’m a meat lover and I was fooled! It was delicious! Thanks Sis.
Sounds yummy Kath.
Looks so good and so easy for a non-cook like me. Love that Sista#3,
Thanks Kathryne, good to see lentils & bean variety have their day!
Thanks for stopping by Joy.
Kath-this was originally Betty’s recipe. Did you know that?
And a snap to make, Sue.
sounds really delicious..I needed a good chilli recipe and I love the look of the swirl bread!
HI Kath – This sounds easy enough for a non-chef person to prepare…. yep, that’s me! Thanks for sharing. Can’t wait to try it. It sounds DELICIOUS!!!!! I’ll put this one in my list of new things to try.
Thanks Dawn. Hope to see you again soon.
Sheri-it is delicious. Because, as you already know, Sister #3 is a mighty fine cook.
It’s a rainy day in Austin today and this meal would hit the spot! Thanks for the inspiration Kathryn. Looking forward to trying it out.
Sounds delicious., will give it a try on my kids…..they love chili !
I look forward to making this; nice to have those herbs together and all the veggies — where would we be without lentils and beans?
Wow Sarah-thanks for taking the time to write from Austin. Safe travels.
Yep Sally, it is kid approved.
Yes Lynne-the ingredient blend is very savoury.
Looks like an awesome recipe! Since i’ve been trying vegetarian recipes for lent, I will definitely try this one out with the taco chips!
Always looking great new recipes – this is definitely a must try!
Thanks Sarah. Hope you are well.
Seb, we both know that you’ll eat anything…..
Oh, I like the look of that bread! I’ve made chili with lentils before, but never thought to try leek bread with it. Good inspiration, thanks!
I think that Silas had three pieces of bread and butter on Friday!
Sounds delicious. We’ll have to try it!
Always pressed for new vegan treasures for my son’s cadre of friends. Thanks, Kathryn!
Kath, to me there is something about lentils that says wholesome comfort food. And there is nothing like veggie ground round to compliment them in a chili dish. In fact one wonders why one ever bothered with real hamburger. You’ve inspired me to make this delicious-sounding dish for dinner for my sweetie. I’ll let you know how it came out.
She will love it. And you are married to the lentil Queen.
Thanks Yvonne. Hope you are well.
I bet even your big meat loving man will love it Pinky.
Thanks for vegetarian options! Looks fabulous. You always make food so interesting!
Love all those ingredients. With great recipes like this it is getting easier to eat healthy. Thanks. Looking forward to trying it.
Thanks Kim. I should include more vegetarian options, I know.
You are already healthy Clare but this provides a delicious way to stay that way.
That recipe sounds a lot like the chili I used to make weekly when I was vegan… I only ever used kidney beans and veggie ground round. I LOVE the idea of using lentils. With the leek swirl bread too, wow!! Yummy
Thanks Suzanne. The leek bread was an after thought but seems to be a great complement.
Thanks Kathryne. I will have to try your recipe. It sounds much better than the version I made last week. And I will be a hit with my vegan friends. :)
My girlfriend and I love lentils. Thanks for another great lentil recipe!
Sound like a great recipe Kathryne! I’m definitely going to try it.
This looks delicious. I am always stumped with providing “veggie” alternatives for my brother and sister-in-law. This is a meal I will make for them – and enjoy myself too. I am printing it off – as I write this. hmmm!
Love your family gatherings!! Always a treat to see what you guys come up with and how it all comes together.
Kathryne – shock of shocks – I have all those ingredients right now in my cupboard and will give it a try. I’ll just toss it all in the crock pot and see what happens, add the ground round when I get home and Tah Dah – done. Will let you know how it comes out.
Itll be the perfect pre-ski dish for your gang.
This looks so delicious…I’m going shopping for ingredients tonight!
Kathryne!
Thank you so much for this lovely recipe! I am always looking for healthy vegetarian options with LOADS of flavour. I can’t wait to try this – plus I LOVE lentils! You always have great suggestions!
– Cindy D
Thanks Cindy. Hope you are well.
You wont be sorry Alayne.
Tom you will truly believe that you are eating meat.
Great idea to freeze the lentils Gwen.
Hey Di. Good to hear from you. Hope all is well. The breakfast show looks great!
Thanks Mai-An. I appreciate the support.
Aaron-remember how good the vegan fare was at Lo Pub?
Vegan and meat eaters alike, love this dish.
sounds fantastic i love vegan food and i will try it tonight
Thanks (again) Barb.
The recipe looks fantastic; I am definitely going to try it this week. It not only looks great but it sounds really good for you…better not tell my teenager! Happy cooking…and eating!
Rosalie
Sounds great. I’ll have to try this recipe. Love your blog!
Thanks Donna. The first time I had this dish, I was with you-wasnt I? At the cottage for a girls weekend?
Rosalie, If you throw some taco chips on top, your teenager will think that its the best thing that hes ever eaten. He will never know that its vegan. Still working on this out of town project in Thompson. Miss you and the babies!
I looove brown sugar and sour cream with strawberries. It reminds me of my childhood
Sounds yummy! I just recently tried another lentil dish which my son and I really enjoyed so I’m sure this will be a hit, too.
BTW, as I was scrolling down the page and came to the picture of the swirled bread I thought at first that it was your signature ‘heart’ picture.
Thanks Denise for visiting again. Hope that all is well in your world.
Hey you-I love you to the moon (and back).
I’m always on the lookout, both for vegan recipes and more ways to add lentils to my diet, so thanks for the multi-tasking recipe! Your instructions are very concise, I appreciate that. Will be making this recipe over the coming weekend to have on hand for lunches.
Glad to be a help Laurel. Hope that you are well.
Wow! That leek bread looks AMAZING! Can I have the recipe? Your families’ nights are so generous – what a gift to each family who attends!
The leek bread was a fluke….I roasted and then chopped the leeks. I threw them into the bread maker at the add ingredients signal but they did not mix very well and was a gloppy mess at the bottom of the chamber. So I took the dough out and flattened it and then rolled it back into a loaf. I love dough-it is so forgiving!