Vegetarian Black Bean Chili

Sent to us from Tierra Vegetables, Santa Rosa, CA

Ingredients

2 cups                    Black beans, washed well
2 Tbsp                    Olive oil
2 cups                    Diced onions
3 - 5 cloves             Garlic, minced
3 (or more)              Diced tomatoes
2                            Bay leaves
2 tsp                      Cumin powder
1 tsp                      Chile powder
1 to 2                     Chipotle chiles, cut up  (see Note)
3 Tbsp                    Vinegar
1 Tbsp                    Brown sugar

                             Salt to taste

Directions

 - Put beans in a large pot. Add water to cover beans.

-  Bring to a boil, turn off heat and let sit covered, for an hour.

 - Heat oil in a frying pan. Add onions and sauté until translucent.

 - Stir in the garlic and tomatoes. Sauté for a few minutes, then add bay leaves, cumin and chile powder.

 - Drain the beans and add 6 cups of fresh water to the pot.

 - Stir in the onion-spice mixture, chipotles, vinegar and brown sugar.

- Bring to a boil and simmer for about 1-1/2 hours or until the beans are tender to the bite.

- Add salt to taste during the last 30 minutes of cooking.

 Note:  Chipotle chiles add a smoky meatiness to this vegetarian dish.