Black Bean Chili

BLACK BEAN CHILI

By Darshana Thacker
From Forks Over Knives Site

Makes: about 12 cups Ready In: 1 hour and 15 minutes

Ingredients:

• 5 medium tomatoes-diced, or 3
(15-ounce) cans diced tomatoes, with
their juice (5 cups)
• 2 red bell peppers, cored, seeded, and
cut into ½-inch dice (2 cups)
• ½ medium red onion, finely chopped (1
cup)
• 4 small garlic cloves, roughly chopped
(2 teaspoons)
• 4 teaspoons dried Mexican oregano
• 2 teaspoons ground cumin
• 2 (15-ounce) cans black beans, rinsed
and drained (3 cups)
• 3 large celery stalks, cut into ¼-inch
dice (1½ cups)
• 1 green bell pepper, cored, seeded,
and finely chopped (1 cup)
• 1 cup fresh or frozen corn kernels
• ½ bunch kale, stemmed and roughly
chopped (2 cups)
• ¼ cup finely chopped fresh cilantro
• 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice (from 1
lemon)
• 2 teaspoons smoked paprika
• ¼ teaspoon chili powder, or to taste
• Sea salt- AJ would use Himalayan Salt

Instructions:

1. In a large stew pot or Dutch oven, place the tomatoes, red bell peppers, onion, garlic, oregano, and cumin, and cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, for 20 minutes (the juices from the onion and tomatoes will be enough to keep the sauce from burning).

2. Remove from the heat and let cool for 10 to 15 minutes. In a blender in batches or using a hand blender, blend the sauce until smooth. Return to the pot.

3. Add the black beans, celery, green bell pepper, corn, kale, cilantro, lemon juice, paprika, chili powder, salt to taste, and 2 cups water to the pot. Bring to a boil over high heat. Reduce the heat to low and simmer until the greens are tender and the chili thickens, 10 to 15 minutes.

4. Serve hot over steamed grains or with warm tortillas.

Chef’s notes: For storing, cool the soup completely and transfer to an airtight container.
Store in the refrigerator for 4 to 5 days or in the freezer for up to 1 month.