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Paleo Nutty Vegetarian Chili

I love vegans. They are so resourceful. They are forced to come up with unique ways of creating their favorite dishes just as much, if not more so, than us on a Paleo diet.

I always thought that vegetarians only had one option when it came to chili, and that would be a lot of beans. So, imagine my surprise when I was speaking with my vegan friend who said she had made a chili with nuts instead.

This got my thoughts sparking. If we can make chili with no beans, then that would work perfectly for a Paleo diet. And so, I just had to make the Paleo nutty vegetarian chili, perfect for so many diets and meal plans.

A Whole New Game For Chili

Chili is an extremely popular meal in America. There is a chili cookout happening all the time. In fact, I wouldn’t doubt there is one going on as you read this, no matter when you find this recipe. And, vegetarians have been playing around with their own versions for some time using anything from imitation meat to tofu.

But, this idea of replacing the protein with nuts is pure genius. Not only do you add some unique flavor and style to your dish, but you are also going to get just as much protein as you would from pork or beef. This is a whole new ballpark to play in when it comes to chili. Nut chili cookout anyone?

Some Big Flavors and a Quick Cook Time

Chili is known for being a big burst of flavor thanks to its many spices and ingredients. However, a traditional chili is optimally eaten after it has had time to cook together for a long time. Some even say chili should be eaten the next day and allowed to sit overnight.

Well, now that we have nuts in the picture, the cooking time is reduced tenfold. With one good pot and all of your ingredients ready, this chili can be thrown together between the time you pick the kids up from school, and it’s time for dinner.

A Few Additional Ingredients That You Can Try

After all of those cookouts I mentioned, people have put all sorts of ingredients in chili. It can be a canvas for you to express your own favorite flavors. Here are a few Paleo-friendly options for you to throw in the pot:

• Tamari
• Ground dried ginger
• Cayenne pepper
• Jalapenos
• Mushrooms
• Espresso
• Turmeric

Paleo Nutty Vegetarian Chili

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• Author: Louise Hendon
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Total Time: 45 minutes
• Yield: 6 servings 1x
• Category: Dinner, Vegetarian, Entree
• Cuisine: American

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Description

This flavorful chili is made with nuts making it Paleo-friendly and vegan.

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Ingredients

• 1/4 cup (60 ml) avocado oil, to cook with
• 1 medium red onion, chopped
• 2 large red bell pepper, chopped
• 2 medium carrots, chopped
• 3 ribs celery, chopped
• 1 cup whole cashews
• 1 cup whole almonds
• 4 cloves garlic, finely chopped or minced
• 2 teaspoons chili powder
• 2 teaspoons ground cumin
• 1 ½ teaspoons smoked paprika
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 large can (28 oz) of diced tomatoes
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• 1 bay leaf
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro, plus more for garnishing

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Instructions

1. Saute the onion, pepper, carrots, celery in avocado oil in a large pot until slightly browned.
2. Add in the rest of the ingredients to the pot and simmer with the lid on for 30 minutes.

Notes

All nutritional data are estimated and based on per serving amounts.

Nutrition

• Calories: 258
• Sugar: 7 g
• Fat: 19 g
• Carbohydrates: 19 g
• Fiber: 5 g
• Protein: 6 g