The subject title is a bit of a play on words (like most of my titles!) as this concerns a recipe in Ruth Tal’s excellent cookery book “Refresh”.
I am a very busy working Mum who loves to cook but often doesn’t have the time or energy in the week to start producing meals from scratch, therefore the freezer can be a godsend. Not being a huge fan of processed foods (I’m not sniffy about them I just prefer my own cooking) I look for recipes that taste good on the day they are cooked and don’t deteriorate from a sojourn in the freezer – true happiness is when a dish improves for the keeping.
On my first flick through “Refresh” I was struck by a recipe for Red Bean and Lager Chilli, having 18 ingredients usually puts me off a recipe but looking through there was nothing too challenging, although I made a mental note to reduce the 2 tbsp. Chilli Powder (not forget Chilli Powder is different in the States) but I certainly wasn’t going to cut back on the lager (it called for “micro brewed” which was way beyond my pantry’s means).
The dish begins with the standard base of chopped onions, celery and LOTS of garlic that is sautéed until soft but add 1 chilli (I didn’t because I am a wuzz when it comes to heat) and 1 chopped Green Pepper (I used Red as I don’t like Green peppers and it was my dinner!)
Stir in 1 tbsp of ground cumin that you have previously toasted in a pan and chilli powder to your taste, a cinnamon stick and 2 tbsp of Cocoa powder that give the finished dish an amazing dark and rich colour (who says Vegan food is pale and bland!)
Add a couple of tins of chopped tomatoes and kidney beans (I added sweetcorn because there was some in the fridge needed using up and I would do so next time too as they added a lovely sweetness) followed by chopped carrot and red pepper (I had already added these at stage one) and the lager.
When it is cooked (you will know because all the vegetables will be tender to the bite) remove the cinnamon stick and add chopped coriander (I didn’t have any but the overall dish was none the worse for that).
Serve with boiled rice and Tofu Sour Cream (also in the book – page 107 if you have it)
Which is tofu, oil, lemon juice, sugar, salt and water blitzed in the food processor – could not be simpler and well worth the effort
What happens when the dish comes out of the freezer?
Chilli dogs – with home made rolls, sausage and fried onions – SO delicious
Which meal did I enjoy the most?
Too close to call, couldn’t possibly divide them and I would happily eat either/both again – many times 🙂
Thanks Ruth for your delicious recipes that translate so well from restaurant to home cooking and you all for reading the post.
Carol
x