Chili!

I love chili and could eat it almost any time. Somehow, it just seems to be the perfect food to have when it's cold out, though I've been known to eat it when it's warm out.

Whether you're like me and can eat chili anytime or need to wait until it's chilly out, here are six chili recipes to help you through the day. Enjoy!

LOW-CALORIE, ALMOST FAT-FREE VEGETABLE CHILI

Jolinda Hackett, About.com's vegetarian blog's guide, wrote, "Using extra vegetables, tomato juice and tomatoes with fewer beans keeps this vegetarian chili lower in calories. Though meatless chili is already a healthy and low-fat choice, this version is extra low-cal. It's really more like a chili-spiced tomato soup than a hearty chili. This was one of those recipes that came about purely because of what I had on hand in my kitchen, which happened to be lots of veggies, and not so many beans. But I really wanted chili."

Ingredients:

1/2 medium onion, chopped

2-3 cloves garlic, minced

2 tbsp water

1 large carrot, sliced thin

1 green bell pepper, chopped small

1 red bell pepper, chopped small

2 tbsp soy sauce

1/2 cup corn kernels

1 15-ounce can kidney beans

1 28-ounce can diced tomatoes (do not drain)

1 12-ounce can tomato juice or V8

water

1 jalapeno or other small spicy pepper, minced

1 tbsp chili powder

1/2 tsp oregano

1/2 tsp seasoned salt

1/2 tsp cayenne pepper

green onions for garnish, optional

Preparation:

In a large non-stick pot, heat the garlic and onions for 3-4 minutes. Add the water and carrots and heat, stirring, for another 3-4 minutes. Add green bell pepper, red bell pepper and soy sauce, stirring to combine well. Heat for just another minute or two. Reduce heat to medium low and add all the remaining ingredients, except for the green onions. Cover and allow to slowly simmer for at least 25 minutes and up to 40 minutes.

Adjust the seasonings to taste, garnish with some green onions or even a bit of cheese or sour cream if you're not eating vegan.

Nutritional information, via CalorieCount: Calories: 195; Calories from Fat: 10; Total Fat: 1.1g, 2% daily value; Trans Fat: 0.0g; Cholesterol: 0mg, 0%; Sodium: 614mg, 26%; Total Carbohydrates: 38.0g, 13%; Dietary Fiber: 9.6g, 38%; Sugars: 9.5g; Protein: 11.2g; Vitamin A 80%, Vitamin C 159% Calcium 5%, Iron 32

VEGETARIAN CHILI AND CORNBREAD CASSEROLE

This comes from Jolinda Hackett, Vegetarian Food expert for About.com. Jolinda wrote, “Vegetarian Chili and Cornbread Casserole. With beans and mock meat for plenty of protein, this easy vegetarian and vegan chili casserole can be prepared in just a few minutes, and can be a great way to use up leftover chili, if you have some. If you like corn bread, you'll like this recipe.” Prep Time: 10 minutes; Cook Time: 30 minutes; Total Time: 40 minutes; Yield: 4 - 6 servings.

To view this online, click here.

Ingredients

4 15 ounce cans kidney beans, well drained

2 cups vegetarian ground beef substitute

1 cup corn

2 15 ounce cans tomato sauce

2 tbsp chili powder

1/4 tsp cayenne pepper

1/3 tsp salt

1/2 tsp onion powder

1/2 tsp garlic powder

1/2 tsp cumin

2 cups cornmeal

1 1/2 cups whole wheat flour

1 tbsp baking powder

2 cups soy milk (or another non-dairy milk substitute)

1/4 cup vegetable oil

1 tbsp maple syrup

Preparation

Pre-heat the oven to 375 degrees. In a large mixing bowl, mix together the beans, beef substitute, corn, tomato sauce and spices and spread in the bottom of a large baking pan.

In a separate bowl, combine the cornmeal, flour and baking powder. Slowly whisk in the soy milk, oil and maple syrup, stirring just until combined. Pour this cornbread batter over the chili mixture and spread in the dish.

Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

You could also make this recipe using any kind of leftover chili or canned vegetarian chili.

VEGETARIAN CHILI WITH WINTER VEGETABLES

This comes from Martha Rose Shulman, also from The New York Times Cooking e-newsletter. Martha wrote, “I have made several versions of vegetarian chili; in some the beans take center stage, others are just as focused on vegetables. This thick, satisfying chili is equally focused on both. I particularly like the way the sweet flavor and comforting, creamy texture of the winter squash plays against the spicy flavors in the chili.” Time: 1 hour 30 minutes; Serves 6 to 8.

To view this online, click here.

Ingredients

1 recipe simmered pintos (follows)

2 tablespoons grapeseed, sunflower or canola oil

1 onion, finely chopped

1 large or 2 medium carrots, cut in small dice

1 red pepper, diced (optional)

2 large garlic cloves, minced

3 tablespoons mild ground chili (or use hot, or use more)

1 tablespoon lightly toasted cumin seeds, ground

1 28-ounce can chopped tomatoes

1 teaspoon dried oregano, preferably Mexican oregano

2 tablespoons tomato paste dissolved in 1 cup water

2 cups diced winter squash (about 3/4 pound)

Salt to taste

1/2 cup chopped cilantro

Grated cheddar or Monterey Jack, or crumbled queso fresco for garnish (optional)

Preparation

Heat the beans on top of the stove in a large soup pot or Dutch oven.

Heat the oil over medium heat in a heavy nonstick skillet and add the onion, carrot and pepper. Cook, stirring often, until the vegetables are tender and beginning to color, about 8 minutes. Stir in the garlic, stir together until fragrant, 30 seconds to a minute, and add the ground chili and cumin. Cook, stirring, for 2 to 3 minutes, until the mixture begins to stick to the pan. Add the tomatoes and oregano, and salt to taste. Bring to a simmer and cook, stirring often, until the tomatoes have cooked down and the mixture is beginning to stick to the pan, about 10 minutes. Stir in the tomato paste dissolved in water and bring back to a simmer. Season with salt to taste and simmer, stirring often, for 10 minutes, until the mixture is thick and fragrant.

Stir the tomato mixture into the beans. Add the winter squash and bring to a simmer. Simmer, stirring often, for 30 to 45 minutes. It is important to stir often so that the chili doesn’t settle and stick to the bottom of the pot. It should be thick; if you desire you can thin out with water. Taste and adjust salt.

Shortly before serving stir in the cilantro and simmer for 5 minutes. Spoon into bowls. If you wish, top with grated cheddar, Monterey jack, or crumbled queso fresco.

Tip: Advance preparation: The simmered beans can be made 3 or 4 days ahead and the chili will keep for 3 or 4 days in the refrigerator. You will probably want to thin it out with water is it will continue to thicken. It freezes well.

A BIG POT OF SIMMERED PINTOS

This also comes from Martha Rose Shulman of The New York Times Cooking e-newsletter. For this one, Martha wrote, “This pot of beans was Step 1 for the other Recipes for Health...If I know that I’m going to use these beans for a Mexican dinner I season them with cilantro and, if I can find it, epazote. If I want Italian or Provençal flavors I make a bouquet garni with bay leaf, thyme, parsley, maybe sage, and most definitely a Parmesan rind. This week, since I am using my beans as a starting off point for other dishes, I season them only with onion, garlic, bay leaf and salt. The dishes that will follow throughout the week will introduce more flavors.” Serves 6.

To view this online, go to http://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1016030-a-big-pot-of-simmered-pintos.

Ingredients

1 pound (about 2 1/4 cups) pinto beans, washed and picked over for stones, soaked for at least 4 hours or overnight in 2 quarts water

1 medium onion, cut in half

2 to 4 large garlic cloves (to taste), minced

1 bay leaf

Salt to taste (I think beans need a lot, at least 1 teaspoon per quart of water used)

Preparation

Place beans and soaking water in a large, heavy pot. Add halved onion and bring to a gentle boil. Skim off any foam that rises, then add garlic and bay leaf, reduce heat, cover and simmer 30 minutes.

Add salt and continue to simmer another 1 to 1 1/2 hours, until beans are quite soft and broth is thick and fragrant. Taste and adjust salt. Using tongs or a slotted spoon, remove and discard onion and bay leaf. For the best flavor refrigerate overnight.

Tip: Advance preparation: The cooked beans will keep for 3 to 4 days in the refrigerator and freeze well.

TEXAS-STYLE CHILI

This comes from Vegetarian Times, and begins, “Texas-style chili is a bean-free stew that’s usually made with chunks of slow-cooked beef. Here, eggplant stands in for meat in the traditional thick, spicy sauce. Serve with chopped green onions, cilantro, jalapeño, tomato, shredded cheese, sour cream, and corn chips.” Serves 6.

To view this online, click here.

Ingredients:

3 mulato or pasilla dried chiles

2 costeno dried chiles

1 cascabel dried chile

2 Tbs. olive oil

1 red bell pepper, cut into chunks

1 medium onion, cut into chunks

4 cloves garlic, peeled

1 15-oz. can whole tomatoes

1 1/2 Tbs. chili powder

2 tsp. light brown sugar or 1 tsp. molasses, optional

1 tsp. ground cumin

1 tsp. dried oregano

4 medium Japanese eggplant, peeled and cut into 2-inch chunks

2 Tbs. masa harina

Instructions:

Place dried chiles in medium bowl, and cover with 1 1/2 cups boiling water. Let stand 20 minutes, or until soft, pushing chiles under water occasionally. Let liquid cool until chiles are easy to handle.

Remove tough stems and seeds from rehydrated chiles, using soaking liquid to rinse away seeds. Coarsely chop chiles, and strain liquid to remove seeds. Set aside.

Heat oil in large Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add bell pepper, onion, and garlic, and sear 1 to 2 minutes, or until beginning to brown. Add chiles with soaking liquid, tomatoes with juice, chili powder, brown sugar (if using), cumin, oregano, and 4 cups water. Season with salt and pepper, if desired. Cover, and simmer 30 minutes.

Remove pot from heat, and blend chiles and vegetables with immersion blender until smooth. Stir in eggplant chunks, then cover pot, and simmer 30 minutes over medium heat, or until eggplant is tender, stirring occasionally. Stir in masa harina, and season with salt and pepper, if desired.

Nutrition Information: Calories: 148; Protein: 4 g; Total Fat: 6 g; Saturated Fat: less than 1 g; Carbohydrates: 21 g; Cholesterol: 0 mg; Sodium: 242 mg; Fiber: 7 g; Sugar: 10 g