Farmers. Truck drivers. People who work hard, get dirty ... and eat meat and potatoes.
On my grandmas' tables, you'll find roast beast, ring bologna and the best fried chicken in the world. (Which was always made especially for me on nearly every trip to Boscobel.) Pots of boiled potatoes. Or fried. Or mashed. Every meal included homemade bread with butter and honey.
Vegetarian was a word never uttered. Foreign language, if you will.
So what did I take to a family gathering for my aunt's 80th birthday party last week?
Meatless chili, of course. And, they never knew what hit 'em.
I probably made it a bit too spicy for the crowd ... they noticed that part. But they didn't notice the lack of beef.
This isn't really a recipe since, per usual, I didn't actually measure anything. But it gives you a method and you can adjust to suit your or your family's tastes. It's better the second day, too.
Vegetarian Chili
Diced onion
Diced fresh mushrooms
Diced red/yellow peppers
Minced garlic
Can(s) crushed tomatoes
Can(s) black beans, rinsed
2 or 3 fake burgers (Brands in freezer case include Boca, Morningstar Farms. I used chipotle-flavored version from Sam's Club), nuked and crumbled
Chili spices ... cumin, chili powder, red pepper flakes, salt, pepper, etc.
In a big stock pot, with a little olive oil, saute onion, mushroom, peppers until soft. Add garlic. Mix in tomatoes, beans and COOKED crumbled burgers. Add spices. Let bubble for a while. If it gets too thick, add some water. Adjust seasoning to taste.
Serve like chili. Options: low-fat pepperjack cheese, low-fat sour cream, baked chips, sliced green onions, jalapeno rings.
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(And, just for fun, watch this video of the RHCP at the Super Bowl. I am guessing Anthony Kiedis' knees feel a lot like mine. FF to the 8:20 mark and watch for him to "jump" off the stage in a way only a 40-year-old person can do. You can literally SEE the thought cross his mind. "This is going to hurt." http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g4MofWt19dQ It cracks me up.)
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