Hippie’s Texan Vegan Chili

Ingredients

• 1 medium red onion, chopped
• 1 large red bell pepper, chopped
• 2 medium carrots, chopped
• 2 ribs celery, chopped
• 1/2 teaspoon salt, divided
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/4 teaspoon chili powder
• 2 teaspoons ground cumin
• 1 1/2 teaspoons smoked paprika
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 2 fifteen-ounce cans diced tomatoes
• 2 fifteen-ounce cans black beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 fifteen-ounce can pinto beans, rinsed and drained
• 2 cups vegetable broth
• 1 bay leaf
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro
• 1 to 2 teaspoons red wine vinegar
• garnish with cilantro, avocado, coconut yogurt

Directions

1. In a large pot, sauté the onion, bell pepper, carrot, celery and 1/4 teaspoon salt over medium heat for 7-10 minutes.
2. Add the garlic, chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika and oregano. Cook until fragrant, about 1 minute.
3. Add the diced tomatoes, black beans, pinto beans, veggie broth and bay leaf. Stir to combine, then bring the mixture to a simmer and continue cooking, stirring occasionally and reducing heat as necessary to maintain a gentle simmer for 30 minutes.
4. Remove from heat.
5. Transfer 1 1/2 cups of chili to the blender and blend until smooth, then pour the blended mixture back into the pot.
6. Add the chopped cilantro and mix in the vinegar to taste.