Thick & Chunky Vegetarian Chili

Ingredients

• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 1 1/2 cups chopped onions
• 1 tablespoon ground cumin
• 2 tablespoons chili powder
• 1/2 cup chopped celery
• 1 cup chopped  bell pepper, any color
• 1 cup chopped carrot
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 2 cups chopped mushrooms
• 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
• 1/2 teaspoon dried basil
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 2 teaspoons kosher salt
• 2 cups tomato sauce
• 3/4 cup dried couscous
• 1 (28 ounce) can crushed tomatoes
• 2 (15 ounce) cans black beans
• 3 tablespoons diced green chilies
• 1 dash hot sauce

Directions

1. 1

   heat oil in large pot.

2. 2

   add onions, cumin and chile powder (careful not to inhale over pot) cook until fragrant.

3. 3

   Add celery, bell peppers, carrots, garlic & mushroom (add any other veg or leave out what you don't like).

4. 4

   when veg begin to soften, add red pepper flakes, basil, oregano, salt and some ground black pepper.

5. 5

   cook, stirring, for a few minutes.

6. 6

   add remaining ingredients (can sub barley or bulgar wheat for couscous).

7. 7

   Bring to boil - stirring.

8. 8

   reduce heat to medium low.

9. 9

   simmer, uncovered, 20 minutes.

10. 10

    If too thick, add more tomato sauce or crushed tomato.

11. 11

    Serve with sour cream, chopped avocados, chopped cilentro and grated cheese.