Black bean chilli

Black bean is one of my favorite beans. We can make numerous dishes using this. Though it is not a common one in India, one can compare its taste with a mixture of rajma (red kidney beans) and black gram.Chillie or chili is a dish resembling a thick lentil soup. It can be had along with tortilla chips as a dip or bread rolls.  Here I have used dried black beans. I always buy a pack of dry beans, soak and pressure cook them, keep them frozen in small portions till I need. Though buying canned beans is easier, I like my method better. Anyways both tastes good. Try this chili on a cold winter day and you are gonna love it!

Ingredients:
Black bean (dry) - 1 cup
water - 3 cups
onion - 1
garlic - 4 cloves
green chilly - 1
celery stem - 1
tomato puree - 1/2 cup
red chilly powder - 1 tsp
cumin powder - 1/2 tsp
salt
butter - 1 tbsp
Italian seasoning (dry) - 1 tsp
lemon - 1/8

Method:
Soak the beans overnight. Discard the soaked water (must).
Add 3 times water. Pressure cook for 5 minutes in medium heat after a whistle. (or cook in stove top for 1 hour / till tender).

Heat butter in a vessel. Add finely chopped onion, garlic and stir till onion turns soft.
Then add the chopped celery, green chilly and saute for a minute.
Then add the cooked beans, tomato puree, red chilly powder, cumin powder, salt and cook covered for 10 minutes. After switching off sprinkle dried Italian seasoning, lemon juice, pepper powder.

Chile is ready!

Serving suggestions:
Serve hot with bread or tortilla chips.

Tips:
Adding minced meat in this recipe is also common.