Even though this recipe contains a laundry
list of ingredients, none of them are particularly difficult
to find. If you've been searching for a good, hearty vegetarian
style chili look no further -- this is it.
Cafe Brenda Black Bean Vegetable
Chili
2 1/2 cups dried black beans
1 large onion, chopped
2 tablespoons olive oil
4 garlic cloves, minced
2 large carrots, diced
2 ribs celery, chopped
1 red bell pepper, seeded and chopped
2 to 3 jalapeno peppers, seeded and minced
1 tablespoon fresh marjoram, minced or 1 teaspoon dried
1 tablespoon fresh oregano, minced or 1 teaspoon dried oregano
1 tablespoon chili powder
1 tablespoon ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon cayenne
1/2 teaspoon crushed coriander seeds
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
Juice of 1/2 lemon
1 ounce unsweetened chocolate
1 cup raw pumpkin seeds
Soy sauce
Sour cream, optional
1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese, optional
- Pick over the black beans, then soak them
in 8 cups of water for 6 to 8 hours. Drain them and cook in 8
cups of water until tender, about 1 hour. Drain, reserving all
the cooking liquid.
- In a large skillet, sauté the onion
in the oil until soft. Add the garlic, carrots, and celery; sauté
3 minutes. Add the bell pepper and jalapeno peppers; sauté
3 to 5 minutes longer.
- Combine the sautéed vegetables
and cooked beans in a large pot. Add the herbs, spices, salt,
lemon juice and chocolate. Pour in about 1 1/2 cups of the reserved
cooking liquid or as needed to keep the chili loose. Simmer 30
minutes, stirring occasionally.
- As the chili simmers, place the pumpkin
seeds in a sauté pan over medium-high heat. Dry-toast
them, stirring and tossing until the seeds glisten and begin
to brown. Sprinkle a few drops of soy sauce on them and allow
them to cool.
- Serve in bowls with the pumpkin seeds
sprinkled on top. Add sour cream and/or grated cheese, if desired.
Serves 6.
Source: Adapted from Chili Nation by Jane
and Michael Stern (Broadway Books, 1999).
