Black Bean Chili

Are you groaning over yet another black bean recipe?  I'm tellin' ya, they are so dang good!

This isn't really a recipe, exactly.  I have a handful that I work off of and by now, I've made them all so often, I just start throwing stuff in the pot.  Any of them could be made vegetarian simply by omitting the meat and/or broth.  And if you keep the dairy products off the top, the dish is vegan as well.

This chili is delicious on it's own, but I served it over quinoa, both to stretch it out over two meals, and also because I like it that way.  It's delicious over rice too.  Brown or white.

Here's what I used tonite:

Black Bean Chili

1/2 lb ground Mexican-style pork chorizo (the Spanish-style is good in this as well)
1 green bell pepper, diced
1 large yellow onion, diced
4 cloves garlic, chopped
1 fresh jalapeno, diced (use more if you like the heat - I go easy for the kids)
1 14-oz can diced tomatoes (I like low-sodium)
1 lb dried black beans, rinsed
Ground cumin (start with about a Tbsp and add more to taste)
Dried oregano (ditto)
Paprika (start with about 2 tsp)
Salt & pepper, to taste
Topping suggestions:  sour cream, grated cheese, cilantro, jalapeno, jicama, radish, fresh tomato, avocado, corn chips, hot sauce

If using, brown the chorizo.

Stir in bell pepper, onion, garlic, and jalapeno.

(if omitting the chorizo, just cook your veggies up in some olive oil)

Cook until softened, about 7 minutes, over medium-high.

Add black beans, seasonings, and tomatoes.

Add enough water to cover beans by a couple inches.

I used about 8 cups.

Bring to a boil, lower heat and simmer, covered with the lid slightly off, for 2 hours, stirring occasionally.

You may need to add water, depending on how high of a simmer you've got.

At this point, you can turn it way down if you want to cook it ahead.

Taste and adjust seasonings, if necessary.

If serving over quinoa, cook that up now.

I use a 2 to 1 ratio and simmer it for 15 minutes. 

Serve with desired toppings and dig in.

Here's dinner in my bowl:

Check out a yummy option for leftovers here.