Vegetarian Black Bean Chili

Ingredients

• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 2 cups chopped onions
• 1 2/3 cups coarsely chopped red bell peppers (about 2 medium)
• 6 garlic cloves
• chopped
• 2 tablespoons chili powder
• 2 teaspoons dried oregano
• 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cumin
• 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 3 15- to 16-ounce cans black beans
• drained
• 1/2 cup liquid reserved
• 1 16-ounce can tomato sauce
• Chopped fresh cilantro
• Sour cream
• Grated MontereyJack cheese
• Chopped green onions

Instructions

1. 1

   Heat oil in heavy large pot over medium-high heat.

2. 2

   Add onions, bell peppers, and garlic; sauté until onions soften, about 10 minutes.

3. 3

   Mix in chili powder, oregano, cumin, and cayenne; stir 2 minutes.

4. 4

   Mix in beans, 1/2 cup reserved bean liquid, and tomato sauce.

5. 5

   Bring chili to boil, stirring occasionally.

6. 6

   Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer until flavors blend and chili thickens, stirring occasionally, about 15 minutes.

7. 7

   Season to taste with salt and pepper.

8. 8

   Ladle chili into bowls.

9. 9

   Pass chopped cilantro, sour cream, grated cheese, and green onions separately.