Every year on Halloween, Dave and I make this chili. We started our first year of marriage, when my Mom sent us a Halloween care package to Maryland. It was so good we've continued the tradition every year. It changes a bit year to year. The "meat" can vary depending on what sounds good or what we have on hand, and the spices always change a bit depending on our tastes that night.
Here's the base that we always follow...
1 Large Bag of Pasta*
1 Can of Beans (black beans or a mix)
Two of the Extra Large Cans of Fire Roasted Tomatoes
1 Can Tomato Puree
Onion
Boca Crumbles or Tofurky Italian Sausage with Sun-Dried Tomatoes and Basil
Spices (to taste), we used:
Lots of Chili Powder,
Garlic,
Sea Salt,
Parsley
Cheese on top is optional, the chili is vegan without it- unless you use vegan cheese!
Heat two cans of the organic fire roasted tomatoes and one can of tomato puree. Add spices and half an onion chopped. At the same time add beans to tomato mix. Let this mixture simmer for about an hour or two, that way you can really taste the spices.
Cook pasta in separate bowl. Once the pasta is finished, add it to the tomato/beans mixture and heat boca crumbles. Mix everything together and top with cheese. Serve with crackers and enjoy!
**We use a Halloween mix of pasta from World Market every year that my Mom sends in our Halloween package (she's the best), here is a similar kind from the same brand.