Ingredients
1tbspolive oil
8ozbaby portabella mushrooms,cleaned and quartered
1tspkosher salt
¾tspfreshly cracked black pepper
1mediumyellow onion,peeled and quartered
1mediumgreen bell pepper,chopped
1jalapeño,seeded and minced
3largegarlic,cloves, minced
1½tbspmild chili powder
1¼tsporegano
1¼tspground cumin
¼tsppaprika,smoked
pinchcinnamon
1tbspbrown sugar,(+ 1 tbsp)
1canfire roasted tomatoes,(15 oz), undrained
1cantomato sauce,(15 oz)
3cupsvegetable stock,or water
½cupbulgur wheat
½tspliquid smoke,optional
2canskidney beans,(15 oz), (light or dark or a combination), drained
1handful cilantro,minced
½smallred onion,minced
1avocado,diced
lime wedges
Preparation
Put the mushrooms in a food processor fitted with the blade attachment. Pulse for about 30 seconds until they are smaller than a pea.
Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large Dutch oven over medium heat. Add mushrooms to the pot with 1 teaspoon kosher salt and ¾ teaspoon freshly cracked pepper.
Cook for about 7 minutes until the mushrooms release some of their liquid and turn a darker color.
Add the onion to the food processor (no need to clean) and pulse about 6 to 8 times until the onions are the size of a small dice. Add the onion, along with the chopped green bell pepper, minced jalapeño pepper, garlic, chili powder, oregano, cumin, smoked paprika, and cinnamon to the pot.
Cook for about 8 minutes until the onions are translucent and the green peppers just begin to soften. Stir in the brown sugar. Cook for about 1 minute just to incorporate it.
Add the fire roasted tomatoes (and all their juices), tomato sauce, and three cups of stock or water. Stir to combine. Cover the pot and bring the chili up to a boil. This should take about 4 to 5 minutes.
Once the chili is boiling, stir in the bulgur, then reduce the heat to medium low. Let the chili simmer for about 12 minutes until the bulgur is cooked through. It should be chewy and tender.
Add the drained beans to the beans and liquid smoke to the pot. Stir to combine. Let it simmer on the stove for about 10 minutes.
Stir. Taste, and add salt or pepper to taste. Ladle into bowls, and top with the cilantro, red onion and avocado.
Serve the lime wedges alongside the bowl.
