Won't Miss the Meat Chili

To me chili is the ultimate comfort food.   Growing up in Minnesota I often would make this dish a lot becasuse it cooks in one pot and the spice warms you from the inside out.  When its cold and snowy out and your stuck inside all day this is the ultimate hug for the soul.  I have great memories of curling up on the couch still in pj's eating my second bowl never leaving the house.  Some think chili can't be done without meat however I beg to differ and after you try this chili you too will become a believer.  

Smokey Zesty Vegetarian Chili:

1 can red beans
1 can black beans
1 can white beans (Get 3-4 cans of your favorite beans)
1 can corn
2 big cans of diced tomatoes 
1 can of tomato sauce
1 small can of tomato paste (for thickening)
1 stalk celery 
1 carrot 
1 medium red onion 
1 jalapeno 
1 can chilies in adobo 
1 bundle of cilantro 
Cumin
Chili powder

Garnish: 
3 limes
Sour cream 
Tortilla chips  Sharp Cheddar Cheese
Pickled Jalapenos
Sliced scallions

In a big pot start with a little olive oil and add the diced onion, jalapeno, 4 stalks of celery and 1 small diced carrot.  Cook them for about 5 minutes, they don't need to be fully cooked.  Add all beans, corn and the 2 big cans of tomatoes and tomato sauce.  If you want it thicker add some paste, I usually add half of it.  Then add 3 spoonful's of chilies in adobo sauce (this is hot stuff so don't burn yourself).  3 tablespoons of chili powder and 2 of cumin.  You want to do this to taste, you can always add more.  Salt and pepper to taste.  This all needs to simmer for about 20 minutes, then re-taste.  At the very end I add 1 cup of chopped cilantro ( I really like cilantro so I may add a tad too much however, experiment with this herb it grows on you but can taste a little soapy at first).  Serve with sliced limes, sour creams, cheddar cheese and tortilla chips.