False-Alarm Vegetable Chile

A very good and healthy chili. You can add hamburger to make this a guy’s dish.

ingredients

2 tablespoon olive oil
1 onion,chopped
1 green bell pepper,chopped
1 red bell pepper,chopped
1 carrot,chopped
1 fresh green chile pepper (such as jalapeno), seeded and finely chopped, or 1/4 cup drained canned chopped green chiles
2 gaelic cloves, finely chopped
1 pound dried lentils, rinsed
1/3 cup tomatoe paste
1 15oz.can red kidney beans, drained and rinsed
1 15oz.can pinto beans, drained and rinsed
1 28oz. can stewed tomatoes
1/3 cup chile powder
4 teaspoons cumin
1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper

1
In a large soup pot, heat the olive oil over medium heat.
2
Add onion, green and red peppers, carrot, chile pepper and garlic.
3
Cook until the vegetables soften, about 5 minutes.
4
Stir in 7 cups water, lentils, tomatoe paste, kidney beans, and pinto beans.
5
Stir to blend, adding stewed tomatoes, chile powder, cumin, and crushed red pepper flakes.
6
Bring to boil. Reduce heat to medium-low, cover and simmer until the lentils are tender, about 45 minutes.
7
If the chili starts to dry out, add hot water as needed. Season with salt and pepper and serve immediately.