VEGETARIAN CHILI
- 7 CUPS ORGANIC DRY KIDNEY BEANS (or nine 15 oz. cans)
- 5 CUPS COOKED & PEELED, CRUSHED TOMATOES (or one 28oz. can crushed tomatoes)
- 2 CUPS WHITE OR YELLOW ONION - FINELY CHOPPED
- 1 CUP SWEET PEPPERS - FINELY CHOPPED
- (add your choice fresh hot peppers for a real kick!)
- 8 to 12 CLOVES GARLIC - MINCED
- 1/2 CUP OLIVE OIL
- 3 to 5 TBS. CHILI POWDER
- 2 to 4 TBS. GROUND CUMIN
- 1 or 2 TBS. GROUND ANCHO PEPPER
- 1 TBS. GROUND BLACK PEPPER (added last)
- 2 tsp. DRIED OREGANO
- 2 tsp. DRIED PARSLEY
- 1 or 2 tsp. DRIED CAYENNE PEPPER POWDER
- 1 tsp. DRIED BASIL
- SALT TO TASTE
SET ASIDE 1/2 CUP EACH OF ONIONS AND PEPPERS TO ADD TO THE CHILI JUST BEFORE SERVING. SAUTÉ THE REMAINING ONIONS AND PEPPERS IN OLIVE OIL OVER MEDIUM HEAT UNTIL TRANSLUSCENT, ABOUT 15 MINUTES AND REMOVE FROM HEAT. IN A LARGE SOUP POT, COMBINE THE SAUTÉED VEGETABLES, TOMATOES, GARLIC AND SPICES (EXCEPT SALT AND BLACK PEPPER). ADD THREE CUPS OF WATER AND SIMMER OVER MEDIUM-HIGH HEAT ABOUT 20 MINUTES, THEN ADD THE PREPARED BEANS WITH THIER LIQUID. STIR CONSTANTLY AS THE CHILI THICKENS. YOU MAY ADD WATER TO INCREASE THE COOKING TIME IF NEEDED. SIMMER UNTIL CHILI REACHES DESIRED THICKNESS. NOW ADD THE RESERVED ONIONS AND PEPPERS TO THE CHILI. LASTLY, SALT, PEPPER AND ADJUST SEASONINGS TO TASTE.
NOTE: SERVE OVER LIGHTLY SALTED BROWN RICE, OR WITH CHOPPED ONIONS, SHREDDED SHARP CHEDDAR, AND YOUR CHOICE OF TORTILLA CHIPS OR GOOD OL' FASHIONED CORNBREAD. OH, AND DON'T FORGET YOUR HOT PACO's TACO SAUCE! (recipe coming soon)
NOTE:: SOAK BEANS AT LEAST TWO HOURS OR OVERNIGHT. RINSE THEM WELL AND THEN PLACE IN A PRESSURE COOKER WITH ENOUGH WATER TO COVER THE BEANS. FURTHER DIRECTIONS FOR PRESSURE COOKING THE BEANS AND OTHER FOODS CAN BE FOUND AT THIS LINK.
NOTE::: IF YOU DO NOT USE A PRESSURE COOKER, YOU CAN SOAK THE BEANS OVERNIGHT. RINSE THEM WELL IN THE MORNING, AND PLACE IN A LARGE POT WITH LOTS OF WATER. COOK OVER MEDIUM-HIGH HEAT FOR 3 TO 6 HOURS OR UNTIL BEANS ARE TENDER. WATCH THE BEANS CAREFULLY, STIRRING OCCASIONALLY. ADD WATER AS NEEDED.
MAKES APPROX. 8 SERVINGS.