We are trying to eat less meat.

[Diamond_Dog]

Today I made chili using crumbled frozen spicy black bean burgers instead of hamburger. I suppose true meat lovers wouldn’t consider it chili but more of a vegetable stew. But it was pretty tasty. A bowl of it with a small square of corn bread was pretty filling. (of course I made mine un-vegan by putting a blop of light sour cream on top)

I used chopped onion, garlic, celery, red and green peppers, a can of diced tomatoes, a can of tomato sauce, a can of corn, a can of “chili ready beans in mild sauce” a TB of tomato paste, and the crumbled black bean burgers which I thawed out first….simmered it till everything was soft. Added more tomato sauce at one point because I wanted it saucier.Tasted it and added a teaspoon of brown sugar to cut the acidity. All my tomato products were “no salt added.”

[leftieNanner]

1. Sounds delicious 😋

I often make risotto for meatless meals. Mushroom or asparagus.

[Diamond_Dog]

2. I would like that, too!

Do you use portobello mushrooms?

[leftieNanner]

5. Sometimes

Or crimini.

[sprinkleeninow]

3. Sounds delish! I never considered using bean burgers in something like this in lieu of gr. meat.

I'm also attempting to eat less meat products.

Took a screenshot of your 'recipe'❣

[Diamond_Dog]

14. I thought it was a good idea.

Don’t expect real chili, though. It’s more like a vegetable stew.

[markie]

4. fantastic! yummy

as a vegetarian, someone last week asked me how I got my protein, implying that I couldn't get enough... as it was, my bet is that I was much healthier than all the meateaters sitting at the table with us

[Diamond_Dog]

10. I cook for three guys every night

My husband and two of our sons. My sons are actually more open to trying new things and different cuisines (Middle Eastern, Indian). than my husband.

We already have given up red meat except for a very few occasions such as 4th of July cookout and/or if someone wants a special dish for his birthday.

[onecaliberal]

6. I think I am going to try that. It sounds good and I'm not really eating meat these days.

[Diamond_Dog]

11. I hope you like it!

[onecaliberal]

12. I will let you know.

[Ohiya]

7. Two cookbooks I use alot are:

Vegan Comfort Cooking by Melanie McDonald, and
But I Could Never Go Vegan by Kristi Turner

I have quite a few cookbooks, but these are the two that I go to the most.

[onecaliberal]

13. I'm going to buy the Vegan Comfort. It sounds good. Thanks!

[Ohiya]

17. It's my favorite!

[Diamond_Dog]

15. TY Ohiya

for the cookbook recommendations!

[Ohiya]

18. You're welcome!

[jmbar2]

8. Trying to do the same

I'm finding that middle eastern food is very satisfying. Doesn't try to pretend to be meat.

My favorite dishes are falafel and this recipe for lentils, rice and onions (mujadara). LOTS of onions...

[Diamond_Dog]

9. Thanks! I do like Middle Eastern cooking.

Bookmarking for this evening.

[sinkingfeeling]

16. No chili powder?

[Diamond_Dog]

20. It's in the bean burgers and in the chili beans.

But by all means you could add more if you like!

[Trailrider1951]

19. Sounds like the chili my son-in-law makes

My children and their whole families are vegetarian/vegan like my ex-husband, so I've been cooking veg since the 1970's. My favorite meat substitute is TVP, textured vegetable (soy) protein, like Bob's:

https://cloudinary.images-iherb.com/image/upload/f_auto,q_auto:eco/images/brm/brm03542/v/4.jpg

It has a sponge-like consistency that absorbs the flavor of the dish, and a texture that really mimics ground beef. I use it in chili, tacos, pasta sauce, shepherd's pie and any other recipe that calls for ground meat. For use in chili and sauces, I make the recipes a bit on the "soupy" side and add the dry TVP to the dish for the last 30 minutes, as the dry TVP has a thickening effect. For tacos and shepherd's pie, I hydrate the TVP in hot veg broth first, and then use it in the recipe.

[Diamond_Dog]

21. Interesting, thank you!

Does it add any flavor?

[Trailrider1951]

22. No real flavor, it just takes on the flavor and spices of the food it is cooked with

I guess it's sort of like dried tofu in that respect.