4th Street Social Club Black Bean Chili

      Yield: 8 Servings

    1/2 c  olive oil,or other low

           -cholesterol,oil

      4 c  black beans

      2 T  cumin seed

      2 T  oregano

      2 lg yellow onions,finely

      1    -- (or to taste),Chopped

  1 1/2 c  green bell peppers -- finely

      1    chopped

      2    cloves garlic --,Minced

      1 t  salt

      3 c  tomatoes,whole canned --

      1    crushed

      8    sprig cilantro -- fresh

    3/4 c  jalapeno chiles,finely

      1    -- (or to taste),Chopped

Sort and clean beans. Rinse well. Place beans in large pot and cover

with several inches of water. Cover and bring to boil. Reduce heat

and cook for 1 3/4 hours or until beans are tender. Add more water as

needed to keep beans covered. Reserve 1 cup cooking water, then

strain beans. Set aside. Place cumin seed and oregano in a small pan

and bake in a 325 F oven for 10 to 12 mins until fragrance is toasty.

Saute onions, green peppers, and garlic in oil along with the cumin,

oregano, and salt for 10 mins or until onions are soft. Add tomatoes,

cilantro, and chiles to the beans along with sauteed onion mixture.

Simmer for 15 mins to blend flavors. Serve portions of 1 1/4 cups hot

chili in a preheated bowl. Garnish with grated cheese and/or diced

onions and fresh chopped cilantro to taste. This recipe freezes well.