Meatless Black Bean Chili with Hominy

From the book Cooking for the Week by Diane Morgan, Dan Taggart, and Kathleen Taggart

Serves

6

Introduction

Continuing the variations on chili begun with our book The Basic Gourmet, here is a version using dried black beans, now available in nearly every supermarket in America. Canned white or yellow hominy (specially processed corn) adds wonderful dried-corn flavor and color. As with most spicy soups and stews, this one is even better when made ahead and rewarmed.

Ingredients

	1	lb. dried black beans
	2	Tbsp. vegetable oil
	6	large garlic cloves, minced
	2	jumbo yellow onions (about 2 pounds total), coarsely chopped
	¼	cup chili con came seasoning or chili powder
	1	tsp. red pepper flakes
	1½	Tbsp. sugar
	¾	tsp. dried thyme
	1	tsp. ground cumin
	1	tsp. dried oregano
	1	tsp. ground coriander
	1	(28 oz.) can crushed or diced tomatoes in juice or purée
	2	(14½ oz.) cans vegetable broth broth can of water
	1	(14½ oz.) can white or yellow hominy, drained
	1	tsp. ground pepper
	1	tsp. salt or to taste (optional)
	~	Cornmeal for thickening (optional)

Steps

1. Pick over the beans for any stones or other debris. Rinse the beans and set them aside.
2. In a 4-quart or larger nonreactive heavy saucepan over medium heat, heat the oil and sauté the garlic and onion until they are softened but not browned, 5 to 10 minutes. Add the chili con carne seasoning or chili powder, pepper flakes, sugar, thyme, cumin, oregano, and coriander. Stir and cook for 5 minutes. Add the beans, tomatoes (including the juice or purée), vegetable broth, water, and salt. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to a simmer, cover, and cook for 1½ hours, or until the beans are tender. Add the hominy and pepper. Taste for salt and add if necessary. Thicken, if desired, by adding 1 tablespoon cornmeal at a time and simmering for 5 minutes after each addition.
3. Set aside 3 cups of chili to cool and serve the rest. Cover, and refrigerate the reserved chili for up to 7 days.

Notes

• Serves 4, with 3 cups reserved for Chili Burritos

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