Really Good Vegetarian Chili

The key to a really good vegetarian chili is keeping a unified and thick consistency, which we achieve with the use of both quinoa (a super nutritious seed, containing all 9 essential amino acids that make up a complete protein) AND by finishing it with a blend of masa ( a powdery flour made from nixtamalized ground corn. The process of nixtamalization gives masa harina a savory flavor that you won't find with cornmeal) simply mixed with a little bit of water. 

    You definitely use frozen corn, or when it is corn season, use a sharp knife to cut the kernels off of 2 cobs of corn, or use leftover cooked cobs of corn.   We also LOVE hominy!  Hominy also goes through the process of nixtamalization and is a puffed up,  slightly chewy kernel that has a good amount of starch. 

     Feel free to make this recipe your own by adding a diced red pepper, celery or even a finely diced sweet potato! 

Serves 4  

1 large cooking onion, finely diced 
1 jalapeno, finely diced 
1 chipotle pepper in adobo, finely chopped (these pack a hot punch, add less to start if you like!) 
1 tbsp. chili powder 
2 cups tomato puree 
1/2 cup quinoa 
4 cups stock or water 
1 can of good quality black beans (do not drain) 
1 can hominy, rinsed and drained (we love this brand) 
1/4 cup instant corn masa flour 
1-2 cups corn kernels (fresh or frozen) 
oil, as needed 
salt, as needed 

1. Heat a large, heavy pot over medium heat.  
2. Add 3 tbsp. of oil, followed by the onion.  Sprinkle with salt and cook until they just begin to brown.  
3. Add in jalapeno and chipotle.   Saute for 1-2 minutes, then stir in chili powder.  Cook for 30 seconds.  
4. Add in tomato puree, quinoa and stock or water.  Bring up to a high simmer, reduce heat to medium-low and cook for 10-12 minutes, or until quinoa is tender.   
5. Spoon in black beans, bringing in some of the flavourful aquafaba with the beans.   Taste the aquafaba (the bean liquid).  If it is too salty, don't add it all, rinse remaining beans and stir in.  Stir in hominy.  Simmer for 10-15 minutes.  
6. Blend masa with about 1/4 cup of water and stir in.  
7. Stir in corn, and cook for 5-10 minutes, stirring occasionally. 
8. Taste for seasoning and serve, garnished with cheese, sour cream and cilantro, or whatever Mexican toppings you like!