New Recipe to Cleanse!!

This recipe is from the Chopra Center for Wellbeing. If you are The Wind or Vata prefer pinto beans over red kidney and make sure you do soak them overnight. Cook them down a bit more than the other doshas. The Elemental Immersions begin this week! Time to detox, destress and destroy ama (ick) in our bodies and minds.

Cajun Bean Chili

Serves 4

Ingredients
1 cup red kidney, small red, or pinto beans (rinsed and soaked overnight)
4 to 6 cups vegetable stock
2 bay leaves
1 teaspoon ghee or olive oil [Find our ghee recipe here]
1 cup chopped leeks, shallots, or onions
1 pinch red chili flakes
2 cloves minced garlic (or ½ teaspoon garlic powder)
1 cup chopped celery
1 tablespoon Bragg Liquid Aminos or tamari
1 cup diced green bell pepper
2 cups diced tomatoes
1½ cups thin sliced andouille chicken sausage (optional)
1 teaspoon turmeric
1 teaspoon thyme
1 teaspoon oregano
1 teaspoon coriander
1 teaspoon cumin
2 teaspoons paprika
2 tablespoons maple syrup
1½ cups marinated tempeh (cut into cubes) (Marinade recipe below)

Drain the beans. In a soup pot, bring the beans, vegetable stock, and bay leaves to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer at a rolling boil until the beans are tender, about 1 hour. Heat a sauté pan with the oil over medium heat, then add the leeks, red chili flakes, garlic, and celery. Sauté for 2 minutes. Add the aminos, bell pepper, and tomatoes. If using chicken sausage, add it now.

In a small bowl, combine the turmeric, thyme, oregano, coriander, cumin, and paprika. Add the spice mixture to the vegetables, stirring to incorporate. Sauté another 4 to 5 minutes.

Add the vegetable mixture to the cooking beans about halfway into the cooking process. Continue to cook, stirring frequently and adding more stock if necessary. Add the tempeh cubes and the maple syrup just before serving and reheat gently. The stew will be finished when the beans are soft to the touch. Remove the bay leaves before serving.

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Nutritional facts per 1½ cup serving (using tempeh only)
Calories 449, Total fat 9.4 g, Saturated fat 1.9 g, Carbohydrates 61.9 g, Protein 29.6 g