Black Bean Chipotle Vegan Chili

I came up with this recipe because I didn't want to spend the extra bucks on good ground beef and I like that this version is lighter and healthier than your typical chili. To make a good soup you have to layer the flavors - it also requires time. I never use canned beans. They are NOT a substitute for freshly cooked beans. Canned chipotle, on the other hand, is an excellent substitute for dried chipotle. Just be careful because it's very spicy and a little goes a long way. Also, I prefer garlic powder when cooking things for a long time because fresh garlic, in my experience, turns icky after a while and can spoil a good stock.

black beans + black bean stock:

1lb dried black beans

1 onion (fine dice)
1 tsp. kosher or sea salt

vegetable oil

1 tsp garlic powder

1 tsp dried oregano

1 tsp chipotle adobo sauce

1 tsp smoked paprika

1 tsp cumin

handful of fresh thyme

3 bay leaves

black pepper

filtered water

Wash the black beans and then soak them overnight in filtered water then drain. Saute the onion in a large saucepot with vegetable oil. Add the remaining ingredients. You want the water to cover everything. Cook for about 2 ½ hours or until the beans are creamy when smashed. Add the salt at the end. Taste and add more salt if needed.

chili:

black beans + black bean stock

trinity:

5 celery sticks (fine dice)

2 red bell peppers (fine dice)

1 onion (fine dice)

vegetable oil

seasonings:

1 tsp garlic powder

1 tsp dried oregano

1 tsp chipotle adobo sauce

1 tsp smoked paprika

1 tbsp cumin

2 tbsp chili powder

black pepper
kosher or sea salt

15oz can muir glen fire roasted tomatoes

½ cup filtered water

handful of fresh cilantro (roughly chopped)

Pulse the black bean and black bean stock a few times with an immersion blender. Saute the vegetables (trinity) in a good amount of vegetable oil with a big pinch of salt. You want to brown them a bit then add the  seasonings. Cook for about a minute then add the tomatoes, water and black beans + black bean stock. Simmer about 20 minutes. Add the cilantro at the very end.