Thursday, February 9, 2012

Paula's Meatless (but you'd never know it) Chili


     Did you know that your heart beats about 100,000 times a day? That's about 35 million beats a year, and over two and a half billion beats in the average lifetime. Did you know that even at rest, your heart muscles work hard? Twice as hard as the leg muscles of a person sprinting! In one day, your heart pumps your blood a total of 12,000 miles- four times the distance across the US from coast to coast. That makes me tired just thinking about all of the work my heart is doing! (Heart facts from NOVA online.)


      This month, National Heart Month, is a good time to take a look at what you're doing to keep your hard working heart happy. One way to show your heart some love for all it does for you is to eat a heart healthy diet. According to the Mayo Clinic, a heart healthy diet limits unhealthy fats and sodium, includes low fat protein sources and is rich in vegetables, fruits and whole grains. This has been near and dear to me ever since hubby's heart attack and bypass surgery-  I'm always on the lookout for tasty recipes that fit the bill.



     Standing in the grocery checkout line, I saw this crockpot chili on the cover of a recent Woman's Day magazine. I had to have it. I even went back into the store and bought the ingredients I needed for it. I made it the first chance I had, and I have to say that it's a keeper. It's a low fat, meatless chili, full of beans, flavorful veggies and whole grains- wheat berries. I reduced the salt from the original recipe to make it even more heart friendly, and topped it with avocado.    

   This is the perfect vegetarian chili for a "dyed in the wool" meat eater. The wheat berries give it a toothsome texture, and if you didn't know better, you might even argue that a bit of burger was in there. Your heart will know it's not, though. The corn adds a little sweetness and a little pop of color, and the chipotle adds a smoky element.  Avocado is a great topper too, with healthy fats your heart will love.


     With the exception of soaking the wheat berries overnight, all you have to do is throw all of the ingredients into your crock pot, turn it on, and go about your business of the day. When dinner time rolls around, the intoxicating aroma of hearty chili welcomes you to sit down to a bowl of spicy goodness.You can heat it up as much as you want with extra hot sauce or even a couple of chopped chipotle peppers in adobo. I hope you get the chance to try this one- your heart will thank you!



You can find the recipe at the link below:
Paula's Meatless (but you'd never know it) Chili
Recipe from Paula Zsiray, Woman's Day magazine, February 2012
I made it mostly as written, but made the following changes:
  • used fresh oregano instead of dried (because that's what I had!)
  • used low/no sodium canned tomatoes and beans
  • used diced tomatoes instead of puree (because that's what I had!)
  • did not add any additional salt
  • added a chopped chipotle pepper
  • garnished with avocado
The recipe also says to wait until five minutes before serving to add in the beans, corn, pepper and hot sauce. I added everything in at the beginning and it turned out just fine. :)
I will definitely make this again!
Each serving has 360 calories, 2 grams of fat and 18 grams of protein.

Come join SoupaPalooza at TidyMom and Dine and Dish sponsored by KitchenAid, Red Star Yeast and Le Creuset

50 comments:

  1. I love meatless chili as much as chili with meat. Definitely looks like a keeper!

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  2. I'm off to check out the recipe. This looks like a delicious bowlful for a winter's day.

    Best,
    Bonnie

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  3. I always knew my heart was pretty awesome but I never knew it was THAT awesome! thsi chili sounds like the perfect way to reward it for all it's hard work!

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  4. Wow, thank you for all the heart facts. The human body never ceases to amaze me!

    This chili sounds delicious. I wonder if I could convince my carnivore that this is a meal even though it contains no meat!

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  5. That looks delicious and the fact that it's meatless is a bonus!

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  6. thanks for sharing!! definitely will try it out!

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  7. You had me at throw it in the crockpot and go about your day! The pictures look delicious with the sliced avocado on top, there are so many things to eat that are good for my heart that I enjoy:-)

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  8. It sounds delicious and I can't wait to try it! We're definitely trying to eat healthier and this sounds like a wonderful meatless meal.

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  9. This sounds wonderful. I could go meatless everyday but my hubby likes his meat. Of course he could do without the veggies too. Me on the other hand could eat those day and night.

    This sounds like a fantastic chili to try. Maybe he wouldn't notice that I left out the meat. Thanks for sharing.

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  10. That looks delicious, I don't think I would miss the meat at all, especially with avocados on top!

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  11. You drew me in with the avocado on top--no matter what is underneath, I'm going for it. I need more meatless recipes so this is perfect. Have a good weekend.

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  12. This looks so good; love the avocado decor on top. Gotta try this.
    Rita

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  13. A warming and comforting chilli is exactly what I need now! Yummy!

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  14. This sounds wonderful and it is a perfect meal for a damp and chilly winter day. I hope you have a good weekend. Blessings...Mary

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  15. Your switch up with avocado certainly went a long way for me to continue paying a great deal more attention to my heart ;o)
    It's never enough to hear and read how important this organ is.

    Betty, the photos and post were great ;o)
    Flavourful wishes,
    Claudia

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  16. This looks fabulous...and so healthy! I'd love to try this...I may have to make a small batch for me before trying it on the family. They are pretty meat and potato focused!

    PS...I hope you like the sugar cookie bars. Mine did not rise evenly...just so you know. But frosting and sprinkles disguised it well :)

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  17. I would never have guessed this was a meatless dish! It looks absolutely delicious! Blessings, Catherine xo

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  18. As long as its chilli I dont mind if it has meat or not. Great recipe!

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  19. The human body really is amazing. Props to you for such an excellent post making us all aware of how important it is to take care of our hearts. This chili sounds amazing. I love your additions of avocado and chipotle:)

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  20. I love a good meatless chili and this one sounds fantastic. The addition of wheat berries is brilliant!

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  21. Looks delicious! Sounds good with the added avocado! Happy Valentine's Day!

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  22. I always think it is quite difficult for me to cook a delicious vegetarian dish for meat eaters... and this seems to be a great recipe!

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  23. The heart is an amazing organ. At one point in my life I was very serious about taking care of myself and honoring my body by what I consumed, how I moved and what I put out (or avoided), but such is life, stress happends, busy happens, lazy happens...During my pregnancy I knew I couldn't make excuses anymore because I was responsible for someone else. Both my husband and I have done much better to do the right thing by our heart.
    I don't eat meat, but my husband does. I'm always looking for recipes to satisfy us both. This chili looks so good. I just know we'd both love it! Thank you.

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  24. Wheatberries are wonderful. I've been trying them in salads and as a side dish.
    This looks like a great chili, Penny. And healthy!

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  25. Oops, sorry, Betty. I just wrote a comment to Penny! :)

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  26. this is glorious! i love me some chili, meat-free or chock full of the stuff. black beans and corn get me every time, but it's the avocado garnish that excites me most of all!

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  27. Just reading this make me wish I had a big bowl in front of me.
    Mimi

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  28. This looks so good and as you say would satisfy any hardened carnivore! And I must look into wheat berries-I don't think I've come across them before!

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  29. We're really trying to eat a lot less meat, and this looks like a great way to go about it :)

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  30. I don't think I would even miss the meat - this looks hearty and filling and absolutely delicious!

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  31. What a lovely chili! You'd never know it's meatless either, given how rich it looks. Great recipe, Betty! Thanks for sharing.

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  32. With all the wonderful ingredients in this, who could miss the meat? Looks so delicious!

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  33. I don't think I can express just how much my husband loves his chili and so many times he wants chili and i don't have any meat in the freezer. This is perfect! I think he loves the idea of chili and the heartiness to it not just the meat so I bet he would go for this meatless version and hopefully like it just as much! Great recipe!

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  34. This looks incredibly yummy. I'm going to try out the recipe of my southern gentleman, meat and potatoes man.

    Thanks for sharing. Thanks for stopping by to visit.

    Happy weekend.

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  35. I'm using many more vegetarian recipes in our daily menus than I have in the past and am always looking for meatless versions of our favorite meals. The wheat berries would give the chili a nice hearty texture.

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  36. That is a delightful recipe and love your additions! Since all I eat is vegetarian really...love finding new things and ideas :)

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  37. That looks sensational!! I LOVE that there's no meat - perfect dish!
    Mary x

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  38. Delicious and meat-free...we all need more meals like this in our weeks. Thank you for sharing yet another tempting (and healthy) concoction. I'm sitting down with a tall cup of almond milk and a coconut cookie. Perfect accompaniments to blog reading! I hope you are having a blessed week!

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  39. I have never tried wheat berries before, but it definitely looks like I need to try them!! This looks so satisfying!

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  40. Love wheat berries and I love this recipe - bookmarked!! I'm trying hard to eat less meat - so this is perfect - full of flavor :)
    Mary x

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  41. I've been eating a lot of beans and avacado recently, and I feel alot better for it! (I'm lucky to have not had the 'beans give you gas thing'). I will try this as my next recipe :D

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  42. Mmm, that looks so good! I could totally be a vegetarian if my family didn't think they need meat. ;)

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  43. Okay, i have just been inspired to take better care of my heart. What a wonderful, hearty looking chilli!

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  44. This chili looks hearty and delicious. Blessings, Catherine xo

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  45. I like how you describe this chili...especially topped with chunks of avocado.
    Hope you are having a great week Betty :)

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  46. Your chili looks absolutely delicious! I especially like the avocado topping! Thanks for the health facts too!

    I read your bio, I'm also a full-time teacher! I'm now your newest follower!

    Mary

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  47. This is totally up my ally!! Love this and love the post!! Have a great week :), Miriam@Meatless Meals For Meat Eaters

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  48. You had me with the avocado! What a fresh twist on chili! NOM!

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Thanks for stopping by scrambled hen fruit! I appreciate all of your comments and look forward to reading them.

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