Chili Con Pea

A rich, hearty meat free vegan chilli recipe packed with flavour. The perfect comfort food to keep you warm during winter nights. This chilli con carne has all the taste and kick of a classic chilli con carne, but with fewer calories and less saturated fat. What’s not to love? 

Ingredients

70 g pea mince
40 g puy lentils
2 tbsp olive oil
1/2 carrot
1 onion
4 garlic cloves
1 fresh chili
1 tsp oregano
1 tsp red pepper
1 tsp ground coriander
1 tsp cacao (optional)
1 tbsp tomato paste

1 tbsp soy  sauce

1/2 tsp salt

To serve

1 cup guacamole (see below)
1 cup cashew yoghurt (see below)
1 cup cooked rice
A bunch of fresh coriander (or parsley)
1 cup nachos

For guacamole

1  large avocado
1/2 lime juice
1 tomato cubed
1 jalapeno diced
1/2 tsp salt
2 garlic cloves minced

For cashew yoghurt

90 g cashews soaked
60 g coconut cream
30 ml lemon juice
Water as needed
1 tsp salt

INSTRUCTIONS

To make guacamole, slice the avocados in half, remove the pit, and scoop into a mixing bowl. Mash the avocado with a fork and make it as chunky or smooth as you’d like. Add the remaining ingredients and stir together. Give it a taste test and add a pinch more salt or lime juice if needed.  Set aside.

To make quick cashew yoghurt, place soaked and rinsed cashews along with all cashew yoghurt ingredients in a blender, blend on high speed, let it sit in the fridge at least 2 hours before using.

Pre-heat the oil in a large frying pan and cook the onion for 5-6 minutes or until beginning to soften. Add the red pepper and continue to cook for a further 5 minutes. Add the chillies, garlic and spices and cook for a further 2 minutes stirring continuously.

Stir in the tomato puree and soy sauce and bring to a gentle simmer for 8 minutes stirring occasionally. Stir in the pea mince and cooked puy lentils and cacao if using. Cook over a gentle heat for a further 10 minutes and season to taste.

Stir in the chopped coriander (or parsley if you don’t like coriander) and serve with rice, guacamole, cashew yoghurt, jacket potatoes or with nachos for a delicious dinner.