Black Bean Chili

Serves : 8-10

Comments: This comes from "The New Vegetarian Epicure." I can't believe I had this cookbook for years before making this great chili.

 

Ingredients:

  • 5 ancho chiles (whole pods, dried)
  • 2 chipotle chiles (whole pods, dried)
  • 4 teaspoons ground cumin
  • 4 teaspoons dried oregano leaves
  • 4 teaspoons paprika
  • 3 tablespoons corn oil
  • 3 yellow onions, chopped
  • 5 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 1 (15 ounce) can chopped tomatoes
  • 2 tablespoons wine vinegar
  • 1 (5 ounce) can chopped roasted green chiles
  • 3 pounds canned black beans
  • 1/2 cup chopped cilantro leaves

Instructions:

Soak the dried ancho and chipotle chiles in enough hot water to cover them for 20 minutes. When the chiles are soft and pliable, take them out, remove the stems and as many seeds as come away easily, and then place them in a blender along with the soaking water and the cumin, oregano, and paprika. Puree until smooth.

Heat the oil in a large soup pot and saute the onions and garlic with the bay leaf until the onions are just turning translucent. Stir in the chile puree, the can of chopped tomatoes (with their juice), the vinegar, and the chopped green chiles. Then add the beans with their liquid and simmer over low heat, stirring occasionally, until the chili has the consistency you like. Add salt and pepper to taste. Stir in the cilantro leaves and serve.