Can bean chilli be exciting?

[Junebughustle]

DH often requests bean chilli when I do a meal plan for the week, and although I understand why (can batch cook, can be cheap, uses up staples, helps with reducing meat, versatile, yadda yadda yadda), for some reason it just bores me to cook it and sometimes, to eat it.

Does anyone have an interesting recipe for it? Or any secret ingredients to jazz it up?

In case anyone wonders why I cook it if he's requested it - he does everything else around the house, so it feels fair I cook. And sometimes I do refuse to plan it in because I find it so boring!

Yes!! I like the Cookie and Kate recipe.

Sprinkle a chunk of finely chopped dark chocolate once cooked.

I've been eating home made bean chilli since 1984 when I went veggie.it has never been boring.

What do you already put in it? I make a beetroot and lentil chilli from a Ruby Tandoh book which makes a change from usual bran chilli but still healthy and cheap. That has cocoa powder in it but I usually just melt in a few squares of dark chocolate instead. Chipotle paste?

maybe add extras to your basic recipe - chipped red onion, avocado, grated cheese, lime?

I don't have a particularly revolutionary recipe, but you could serve with guacamole, salsa, sour crème, nachos etc to make it more exciting?

yes a dollop of sour cream, grated cheese, coriander. YUM

I find veggie chilli a bit claggy and boring. Would recommend this one

gasmarkfive.com/2015/04/01/proper-chilli/

which has beans, lentils and quinoa, is less heavy and really delicious.

This one is good, and a big batch cook
www.jamieoliver.com/recipes/vegetables-recipes/kerryann-s-chilli-con-veggie/

Add Chipotle paste and make it more bbq flavoured?!

I use the bbc good food aubergine chilli recipe, and the key is a burnt aubergine.

Literally burn all the skin on an aubergine, on a gas ring if possible or under the grill/ on a bbq. Peel it, chop the flesh and add it with the spices. Gives a lovely smoky, bbq taste. I've added the burnt aubergine to meat chilli and it has the same effect, so I'd think it would be the same with beans rather than lentils.

Sorry that should say “bean-based veggie chilli”

Make a batch with meat & freeze that in portions just for you.

I add liquid smoke. Serve with homemade guacamole and salsa, sour cream, tortilla chips, grated cheese. Kinda increases the price though.

I use mixed beans to mix up the texture, use a variety of fresh chillies rather than chilli powder so every mouthful tastes a bit different and, finally, serve with a poached egg on top.

I love black bean chilli!
Make it into burritos or nachos
Have it with all the sides, fresh salsa, sour cream, guacamole, tortilla chips to dip. Have fresh lime to squeeze over it, add some grated cheese
< gets chilli out freezer >

Yes!! The Felicity Cloake bean chilli is delicious. I find many veggie chillis can be quite insipid, but this is delicious and rich. Having the sauce be a base of chilli paste rather than purely tomato makes all the difference I think.

Ooh I am going to try the poached egg on top!!

Came here to recommend this exact recipe, it is absolutely delightful and rich in flavour. Not sure I would describe it as 'exciting' (per the OP) but it certainly is as good as a beef chilli, and I say this as a meat eater who cooked it for my veggie SIL.

I used smoked garlic in it. And then serve with homemade guacamole, salsa, sour cream, nachos etc.

Ooh thank you! I love Felicity Cloake, can't believe I missed that. Love the burnt aubergine/liquid smoke idea too.

For the PP who asked, I usually choose 3 beans, sometimes chickpeas, and use a pack of fajita seasoning for extra punch. I caramelise the onions, chuck in some Henderson's relish, and cook the tomatoes down etc etc. Served with homemade salsa and guacamole. I do chuck in sweetcorn as well which sometimes makes it feel fresher.

Love the idea of an egg on top too!

This BBC Good Food recipe is absolutely delicious. Usually have it with plain basmati and a green veg but agree with doing guacamole/cheese/sour cream to jazz it up if you want.

I put chunks of sweet potato in mine.