Margaux's slow cooker mexicali chili recipe

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich (WOTV) - Looking for warm and cozy comfort food? Put your slow cooker to work by making my easy Mexicali Chili. Plant-based cuisine does not have to be cold, wet and soggy. Warm up with this hearty, chunky chili. And, who doesn’t crave a little chocolate when the temperature starts to drop? Mix your favorite veggies with some spices like cumin, chili powder, and even some cocoa to warm up your taste buds. Easy and delicious!

Mexicali Chili Recipe
(V/GF)
Makes 8 cups

Ingredients:

1 C Black beans
1 C Kidney beans
1 C Pinto beans
1 C Onions, white and chopped
3 Garlic cloves
1 T EVOO
1 Jalapeño pepper (with seeds to taste)
2 Poblano peppers (seeded)
1 Red pepper (seeded)
2 Carrots, large
3 Celery stalks
2 T Cumin
2 T Chili powder
1 T Mexican Oregano, dried
1 t Cinnamon
1 T Cocoa powder
2 C Roasted tomatoes
4 C Vegetable stock
4-6 C Water
Sea salt to taste
Pepper to taste

Directions:
Beans-
•   Wash thoroughly and check for pebbles.
•   Place in slow cooker.
Vegetables and Spices-
•   In a food processor fitted with the s-blade, dice the onion/s and garlic. Pulse, do not over-process.
•   Heat EVOO in a sauté pan.
•   Add chopped onions and garlic to pan.
•   While above is cooking, in a food processor, dice all peppers, carrots and celery with the s-blade. Pulse, do not over-process.
•   Add vegetables to pan and sauté until tender.
•   Add all spices and sauté two minutes or until your kitchen smells fabulous!
Slow Cooker-
•   Add contents of sauté pan to the slow cooker.
•   Add roasted tomatoes, vegetable stock and water to the slow cooker.
•   Make sure water is 1” above mixture, at this point.
•   Set on high for 6 hours.
•  Check periodically and add water if necessary.
•  When ready, adjust spices, salt and pepper to taste.

OR

Stovetop-
•  Follow directions for beans vegetables and spices.
•  Add contents of sauté pan to a stock pot.
•  Add roasted tomatoes, vegetable stock and water to the stock pot.
•  Bring to a low-boil for 1-1 1/2 hours, with the lid on.
•  Check periodically and add water if necessary.
•  When ready, adjust spices, salt and pepper to taste.

Garnish with: Creamy Ranch Dressing