I know some people really like to watch football at Super Bowl parties, but I'm afraid I'm not one of them.
I'm married to a die-hard football lover (he doesn't even care what teams are playing- he just likes to watch the game!) (and thank goodness it's the only sport he likes) so I get to be present when football games are being watched. He watches whatever cute, cuddly animal-doing-cute-things video I put in front of him (and he'll even "ooh" and "ahh" over them, even if it is just for my sake) so the least I can do is try to look at this-game-I-do-not-understand from time to time.
My aversion to the sport is odd considering I actually come from a pretty hard-core football-loving family. There's no talking to my grandfather when a game is on, especially when it's his beloved 49ers. I did always love Super Bowl parties, however. I loved watching my grandmother in the kitchen, making her incredible pot of chili (once I became vegetarian, she started making a separate vegetarian chili just for me) and I felt so grown-up being able to sit at the kitchen table with a few of the adult women while the game was going. They would gossip and I would dip carrot sticks in ranch dressing and pretend that I had a clue about what they were talking about.
Now, our Super Bowl parties usually consist of the twins, Chris and I, hanging out and "watching" the game. Sophia and I will work in the kitchen for a few hours prior to the game, creating a huge spread (far too much for 4 people) of appetizer-type foods (Cheddar Bacon Dip, anyone?). Then we'll all sit on the couch and munch on all of the food while Chris enthusiastically watches the game. I'll also keep my laptop open so the twins and I can check in on the Puppy Bowl every now and again. Chris gets his most-looked-forward-to game of the year and I get to cook and eat and watch puppies. All in all, it's a pretty good party.
This year, though, we'll be heading up north to watch the Super Bowl with my family just like in the old days. Now I'm one of the adult women who can gossip with the other adult women while the game is on. And now I'll be the one bringing the chili.
Chili is always one of those warm, comforting meals but for me, especially right now, it makes me feel closer to my grandma. I've been making it a lot but this pulled jackfruit version has got to be my new favorite, by far. It's packed with hot and spicy classic chili flavor, but the texture of the jackfruit adds a meaty thickness to it that makes every bite packed with substance (not just a few beans and some tomato sauce). I made some pumpkin cornbread to go with it (before you even ask- I'll be telling you more about it on Friday!) and let me tell you, we were in some sort of euphoric chili heaven where angels sang and tastebuds rejoiced. Right up until our bowls were suddenly empty. Of course, we had to get seconds.
Not only is this chili sure to be a crowd-pleaser at your Super Bowl party, but it's pretty much perfect for any chilly (see what I did?) night when your tummy needs something warm and comforting or for those days when you have extra cornbread that needs to be dipped into something. And if you're like me and may have to end up looking at certain football game sometime soon, at least you'll have something very delicious to hold your attention.
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 small sweet onion, chopped
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1/2 cup chopped carrots
- 1/2 cup chopped celery
- 1/2 cup chopped red bell pepper
- 2 tablespoons diced Hatch green chiles (from a can)
- one 20-ounce can of jackfruit (packed in brine or water), rinsed and drained
- two 15-ounce cans fire-roasted tomatoes
- one 15-ounce can of tomato sauce
- 4 cups cooked kidney beans (or two 15-ounce cans, rinsed and drained)
- 2 tablespoons liquid aminos
- 1 tablespoon sriracha sauce
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- 1 tablespoon coconut sugar (or brown sugar)
- 2 teaspoons ancho chili powder
- 2 teaspoons ground cumin
- 2 teaspoons smoked paprika
- 1/4 to 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 2 tablespoon nutritional yeast
- 2 teaspoons liquid smoke
- juice of 1/2 a lime
- salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Place the jackfruit in a colander in the sink. Use a fork or your fingers to tear the jackfruit into shreds. Set aside.
- Heat the olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the onion and garlic and sauté until onion is translucent. Add the carrot, celery, and bell pepper and sauté for a couple minutes more. Add the green chiles and the jackfruit and cook for a few more minutes to let the jackfruit release its water.
- Add in the fire-roasted tomatoes, tomato sauce, beans, liquid aminos, sriracha sauce, tomato paste, coconut sugar, spices, and herbs. Bring to a boil and then reduce to a simmer. Let simmer for 20 to 30 minutes.
- After the chili has simmered, add in the nutritional yeast, lime juice, liquid smoke, salt and pepper. Serve hot and enjoy!
Congratulations to Kristina Bagnell, the winner of the Extraordinary Vegan giveaway! Thank you to everyone who entered and participated. Stay tuned for another giveaway very soon. 🙂
Will you be watching football this Super Bowl?
Photography by Chris Miller
Emily - It Comes Naturally Blog
Chilli isn't the most photogenic food, but you've done a wonderful job of making that look beautiful. Can't wait to give it a go!
keepinitkind
Thank you, Emily! 🙂
Abby @ The Frosted Vegan
My boyfriend is the same way, he will watch any and all football, even if doesn't really care about the teams playing! I'll pull up a chair and have a bowl of this with you anyday girl!
keepinitkind
Wouldn't that be the best! If only we lived closer!
Angela @ Canned Time
Don't care too much about the Super Bowl but this chili looks awesome. I am a chili addict and especially when I know it is chock full of "good-for-me" stuff and I can have as much as I'd like. I've only used Jack fruit twice so far but I'm thinking this is going to be the third 😉
keepinitkind
I think it needs to be your third too! 😉
Sarojini
I do love the look of this; but alas I don't think I can get jackfruit where I live. What would you suggest as a substitute?
keepinitkind
I would just add about 3 to 4 more cups of beans, or maybe some crumbled tempeh.
Linda
I ordered it from Amazon - had to purchase in bulk (4 or 6 cans), but it lasts a while and is nice to have on hand in the pantry whenever a recipe like this comes along.
Megan
I love chili, and have made many versions, but I have never had jackfruit before - is it a fruit? What is its own flavor?
keepinitkind
Jackfruit is a fruit, but the canned version has a very mellow flavor and easily absorbs whatever flavors you cook it in. It also shreds very easily and takes the appearance of a shredded meat.
Shirleen
I get it at my local Asian market, 20 oz cans green jackfruit Chaokung brand.
Kammie @ Sensual Appeal
Gorgeous photos! I've never had jackfruit before.. I think I saw on TV that is smells bad though. True? Not true?
keepinitkind
I think you're thinking of Durian. I've heard that it doesn't smell that great, but jackfruit smells just fine. 🙂
Richa
Our team made the Superbowl! woooohooo! you should have seen the house yesterday. the energy was crazy. hubbs made me tea twice to calm me down:))
we live close to the stadium so generally the energy around was amazing. firecrackers and stuff!
this chili sounds fab. pick a team(seahawks!) and go with it. though peyton is hot. russell wilson has been beating all odds!
keepinitkind
I was raised a 49er fan so I was (barely) heartbroken when they lost. And since they lost to the Seahawks, well, let's just say my family will likely be cheering for Denver. 😉
Becca from ItsYummi
I'm sort of a football snob, because the only games I enjoy are the ones played with the Green Bay Packers 🙂
Now I get to be an idiot and say that I've never heard of nor consumed jackfruit. Guess I need to change that!
keepinitkind
I think you need to change that too! And Green Bay is one of Chris's fave teams. 🙂
Yead
This is so delicious. I love this jackfruit chili.Great idea.
keepinitkind
Thank you!
Katie @ Produce on Parade
So cool! I still have yet to find jackfruit in Alaska. Perhaps I'll have to order it online. How much does a 20 oz can cost, I 'm curious. Awesome recipe. I feel you on the football...and the husband, and feeling compelled to watch for his sake 😉
keepinitkind
Here is the kind I use, via amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Chaokoh-Young-Green-Jackfruit-Brine/dp/B00CQAFU0W. I normally pay about $3-$4 per can so this is a little on the high side but if you want to treat yourself, this would be a great way to do so. 🙂
Gabby @ the veggie nook
Yum! I've tried so many variations of vegetarian chilli, but never one with jackfruit! That will be my next one 🙂
Cadry
This sounds so delicious with lots of layered flavors! I bet it would be terrific with Soy Curls too.
I'm not a sports fan either. My brothers played football when I was growing up, and so I went to lots of games. Like Chris, my mom likes watching any football game that's on, regardless of who is playing. It was a regular occurrence on the weekends to see my mom feverishly cleaning (she likes to clean when she's amped up because of the game), only breaking to run around the house screaming when a touchdown was scored. I loved her enthusiasm, but I always found her antics considerably more entertaining than whatever was on television.
I went to my last Super Bowl party about ten years ago. It was at a friend's house, and he had a projector to project the game onto the wall. It all sounded like lots of fun, until I got there and realized the only thing that people were talking about was this game that bored me to tears. I'd much rather stay at home, eat appetizers, and not have to watch football!
Jme girl
I love reading your post. Thank you for making my days a little more interesting. I can't wait for your book!
When you use jackfruit, are you cutting off the harder end pieces and the little seed thingy inside, or are you using all of it. What is your secret to shredding?
keepinitkind
Oh wow- thank you!
I only use canned jackfruit and after I rinse and drain it, I usually just use my fingers to break the chunks into shreds. I use the entire piece- I don't discard any part. 🙂
Hmoller
Hey! I am utterly in love with your site having just tumbled across it in the last 15 mins!
They only jack fruit that i could get is either in syrup or juice? do you think if rinsed and soaked in water it would still be too sweet? because they do put an awful lot of sugar in bbq sauces..... could it work?
thanks!
keepinitkind
Oh thank you! I'm not sure that the syrup-packed jackfruit will work because I think that jackfruit may be more ripe and sweeter. Jackfruit packed in brine or water is under-ripe and more capable of absorbing flavor.
kelly
Yum yum yum! I took this for a super bowl/ chinese new years party and was thrilled that all the carnivores LOVED it!! I was a little nervous of the jack fruit as ive never had it, but it was great in it.
Laurie J.
This is by far the best veggie chili that I have ever had!! I've been a vegetarian/ now vegan for over 40 years and have made many different recipes for chili. I could eat this every week. I make it at least once a month. The combination of spices is perfect. I substitute pintos for the kidney beans and black beans would be good too. No sugar for me and I leave out the cayenne because it's pretty hot without it. Kristy, your recipes are the best - haven't made one that I didn't love. Please write another cookbook soon.
Jaclyn
WOW! Glad I stumbled across your website, this was by far the best chilli I’ve ever made! Thank you!!! My family loved it and my son’s friends want the recipe for their Moms to make (and they’re all 11 y.o. carnivores). My son is vegan so he’s always thrilled when we fool those meat eaters lol!
I made this night before the party and dumped it into the slow cooker on low for 8 hours. Only changes I did is 1 can kidney/1can black beans and 3 tbsp brown sugar and omitted the cayenne. DELISHHHHH!!!
Jade Cornelius
Hello,
Thank you for this recipe, it looks great. I would love to try out this recipe in my slow cooker crock pot, do you think it would work? Any ideas on the timings?
Hope to hear back from you soon 🙂
Best Regards,
JADE xx
keepinitkind
I'm guessing that you could use your slow-cooker. I don't have a slow cooker and I'm not that familiar with how to cook in it or what settings to use. Sorry. Enjoy!
salina
I made this with fresh, ripe, jackfruit pods. it didn't shred like raw jack fruit, but it tasted amazing. Thanks:-)