Black Bean Tempeh Chili Topper

This is a quick and easy recipe that arose out of a need to use up leftover black beans and tempeh. Eat it on its own or use it as a topper for rice or other grains and add your favorite raw veggies for a sensational chili bowl!

Ingredients:
1 can black beans rinsed
1 can hominy rinsed
1 jar campfire salsa or your favorite salsa!
1/4 cup water
1tsp cumin
1/2 tsp chili powder
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 cup ground black pepper
4 cloves garlic minced
1 large onion diced
1 large red pepper diced
1/2 package of tempeh crumbled or any leftover tempeh that has been marinated or baked just chop it up
2 tbl cacao powder
1 tbl tomato paste
3 tbl water mixed with powder and paste

In a large saucepan, saute the onions, red pepper and garlic in olive oil until onion is transluscent. Add the cumin, pepper, salt and chili powder and mix until fragrant. Add the salsa, 1/4 cup water, hominy, black beans and crumbled tempeh. Cover and simmer 10-15 min until the mixture is well combined. In a small cup mix tomato paste, cacao powder and 3 tbl water until a sauce forms. Combine the sauce and the black bean mixture and simmer uncovered for a while longer, tasting to adjust salt or flavor as you wish.

**This chili is thick and delicious and can be served on its own with tortilla chips or scooped over brown rice or quinoa. Add avocado, raw onion, cilantro or lime juice too!

Tempeh Chili & Rice

This is a quick, easy and hearty meal to prepare! Easily adapted with different beans or veggies and goes well on top of rice or other grains.

Ingredients

2 packages of Tempeh (8oz packages, I use Lightlife)

1 can black beans

1 can hominy

1 jar Salsa 16oz.(I use Culinary Tours Campfire Roasted Salsa Medium heat)

1 small onion diced

1 small yellow pepper diced

4 cloves garlic minced

1 tsp ground cumin

1 tsp chili powder

1/2 tsp salt

1/2 tsp black pepper

2 Tbl cocoa powder

1 cup water

2 TBL tomato paste

2 Tbl Hot Sauce (I use Cholula) * this is obviously an optional ingredient depending on your taste!

1 Tbl olive oil

In a large saucepan over medium heat, sautee the onion and pepper in the olive oil until the onion is translucent. Add the garlic and saute another minute or two and then crumble up the tempeh into small bits and stir well. Add cumin, chili powder, salt, pepper and mix until well combined. Add salsa, beans, hominy and water. Stir and cover for 10-15 min until most of the water has evaporated and the mixture has thickened a bit. Uncover and sprinkle with cocoa powder, tomato paste and hot sauce and stir to combine. Taste and add more salt or extra hot sauce to your hearts desire! Serve over rice or other grain and top with your favorite crunchy topping!

Topping Options:

Chopped Sugar Snap Peas (as shown in the pic)

Sliced fresh radishes

Shredded cabbage

Blackened Tempeh

Blackened Tempeh with Roasted Brussell Sprouts and Brown Rice Pasta

Tempeh is a soybean product made by culturing and fermenting soybeans into a block form. It's high in protein, holds its shape and easily accepts marinades and can be fried, baked, roasted or crumbled into soups, sauces or stir fry. This is an easy way to prepare tempeh and pair it with pasta, stir fry, veggies or breakfast/brunch.

Ingredients

2 packages tempeh cut into 1/2 inch wide strips

3 Tbl Canola Oil

Marinade: 

2 Tbl soy sauce

1/4 cup water

1 Tbl Siracha

2 Tbl Olive Oil

Blackening Seasoning

1 tsp Garlic Powder

1 tsp Onion Powder

1 tsp smoked paprika

1 tsp chili powder

1 tsp Oregano

1 tsp black pepper

1/2 tsp salt

Use a steaming basket to steam tempeh for 8-10 min. Steaming helps soften the tempeh so it can soak up the marinade. It also helps sweeten the tempeh.

While the tempeh is steaming, mix the marinade in a mason jar or small bowl and shake the jar or whisk in a bowl to mix. Once the tempeh has steamed, remove it from the steaming basket and set into a shallow dish and pour marinade over it. Make sure it's evenly coated. Let sit while you mix the seasoning.

Mix ingredients for the blackening seasoning in a shallow bowl and set aside. Prepare a non stick frying pan with 3 Tbl of canola oil and heat over medium heat. Dredge each strip of tempeh into the blackening seasoning and carefully lay them into the hot oil. Allow to cook 2-3 min and flip to brown each side.

Serving Suggestions:

• Sandwiches

• Stir Fry

• With Rice or Pasta

• With Roasted Veggies