Basic Bean Chili

Ingredients:

(serves 4 )

1 medium onion chopped

1 medium green bell pepper diced about ¼ inch pieces ( or mixture of green, yellow and red )

1-1/2 cups + 1 TBS vegetable broth or water

6 medium cloves garlic, chopped

3 - 31/2 cups black beans

3- 4 diced medium tomatoes

2 TBS ground cumin

2 TBS red chili powder

2 TBS dried oregano

1 cup corn kernels, fresh or frozen

¼ cup fresh chopped cilantro

salt & black pepper to taste

some shredded cheese or Dollop of yogurt (optional)

Directions:

Heat 1 TBS broth in a medium size soup pot. Sauté onion and bell pepper in broth over medium heat for about 5 minutes stirring frequently, until translucent. Add garlic, cumin, red chili powder and continue to sauté for another minute.

Add 1 ½ cups broth and rest of ingredients, except cilantro and corn. Simmer for another 20 minutes uncovered. Add corn and cook for another 2 minutes. Add chopped cilantro and season with salt & pepper to taste. Sprinkle some shredded cheese or dollop of yogurt on the top Yummy!!!

Variation:

For 3 bean or 5 bean soups- choose mixture of any of following beans according to taste: red and white kidney beans and black beans, garbanzo beans, pinto beans etc.