Red Bean Chili

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Ingredients:

  • 1.5 cups Kidney Beans, dry

  • Olive oil for sauteeing

  • Salt

  • 1 large yellow onion, diced

  • 3-5 cloves garlic, minced

  • 2-3 celery stalks, diced

  • 1 large carrot, diced

  • 2 lbs ground beef (OR 2 lb sweet potatoes for vegan version!)

  • 1 can diced tomatoes (28 oz)

  • 2-3 tbsps tomato paste

  • 3 tsp paprika

  • 2 tsp oregano

  • 1.5-2 tsp cumin

  • 1 tsp turmeric

  • 1 tsp white pepper

  • 1-2 bay leaves

  • 1 whole red chili dried

  • Freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Tools:

  • Large pot or slow cooker

  • Large pan for sauteeing

  • Cutting board & knife or food processor

Directions:

  1. Soak the beans.

    • Overnight method: Place the dry beans in a pot or crock (preferably the one you'll cook them in, for less dishes!), and cover with 1-2 inches of water. Let stand overnight.

    • "I Forgot to Soak the Beans Last Night" Method: Place the dry beans in a pot, and cover with 1-2 inches of water. Bring water to a boil for 2-5 minutes, then remove the pot from the heat. Let stand for 1-2 hours.

  2. Cook the beans. Drain the water from the soaked beans. If you have a slow cooker, add the soaked beans to your crock and cover with 1-2 inches of water. Salt the water to taste, and cook on low for 7-8 hours, or high for 3-5 hours. If you're using the stove to cook your beans, add your soaked beans to a large pot and cover with 1-2 inches of water. Salt your water, bring it to a boil, then simmer for 2-3 hours.

  3. While your beans are cooking, sautee the vegetables and meat/sweet potatoes. Heat a pan on the stove, and add enough olive oil to coat the bottom of the pan. Add your diced onions and miced garlic, cooking until translucent. Add the celery and cook until soft. Add your carrots, and cook 3-5 minutes. Remove your pan from the heat, and add its contents to your beans as they cook.

  4. Mix in the can of diced tomatoes, tomato paste, and spices to your crock or pot. Cook until the beans are tender and the chili is well-combined. Add salt and ground pepper to taste.

    • If you are adding ground beef to this recipe, brown your ground beef in the same pan you sauteed your veggies in. Once the ground beef is broken up and no pink remains, add this to your beans as well.

    • If you are using sweet potatoes for the vegan version, just chop your sweet potatoes to bite size pieces and add them to your beans about 45 minutes to an hour before they finish cooking.

Rhiana Rolland