Vegetarian "Three-Bean" Chili

I concocted this recipe today for a few reasons:

1. I've needed to clean out my pantry
   
2. I'm trying to avoid going to the grocery store
3. I've had a serious craving for chili

This recipe is adapted from Weight Watchers' Lentil and Black Bean Chili, but changed to suit my tastes and stick to things I had in the pantry.

Vegetarian "Three-Bean" Chili
(180.3 calories/serving)

Ingredients:

Organic cooking spray
1 TBSP Olive Oil
1 large sweet onion, chopped
4 cloves garlic, minced
2 serrano peppers, sliced (remove seeds for less heat)
2 tsp. coarse Kosher salt, + more for serving
Fresh cracked pepper to taste
3-4 TBSP chili powder
1 TBSP dried oregano
1 TBSP ground comino
2 tsp. paprika
3 dried bay leaves
15 oz. canned black beans, drained and rinsed
15 oz. canned pinto beans, drained and rinsed
2 10 oz. cans Rotel Diced Tomatoes and Green Chiles, not drained
1 medium can stewed tomatoes, drained
15 oz. canned organic lentils, gently drained and rinsed

Instructions:

• Heat cooking spray and oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium heat. Cook onion, peppers and garlic, stirring often, until vegetables are softened, about 8-9 minutes. Lightly salt and pepper while cooking.
• In a cup, combine chili powder, oregano, comino, and paprika; add to skillet and stir well to combine. Cook, stirring often, about 1 minute.
  
• Add all tomatoes (with juice from Rotel cans), beans and bay leaves to skillet; stir well to combine. Cover skillet and simmer so flavors can blend, about 5 to 10 minutes. Remove bay leaves and fold in lentils; serve. Yields about 1 cup per serving.

This chili was delicious and spicy on its own. I topped it with 1 tbsp. shredded cheddar, but I would have preferred to top it with a palm full of chopped cilantro if I'd had it on hand. That would have made the picture much prettier also.

I think this could be delicious served with Lifetime's Cook Yourself Thin Red Pepper-Rosemary Cornbread (168 calories). If you're not fond of the rosemary taste with chili, the recipe works fine with other herbs of similar constitution.

Cheese-Stuffed Manicotti

Where our food love and love love all began.
Will soon modify the recipe to make a six-foot manicotti.

Fannie Farmer's Cheese-Stuffed Manicotti

For optimal deliciousness, serve accompanied by Fannie Farmer's Monterrey Jack Cheese Sauce.