Crockpot Black Bean Soup

2 cups dried black beans
6 cups vegetable broth
1 15 oz. can diced tomatoes
1 medium sweet potato, grated
1 red bell pepper, diced
1 cup frozen corn
1/2 tbsp liquid smoke
1 tbsp minced garlic
1 tbsp olive oil
1 tbsp chili powder
1 tsp cumin seeds
10-15 grinds black pepper
1/2 tbsp dried minced onion
1 bay leaf
1 1/4 tsp salt
1 tbsp lime juice or 1/2 tbsp apple cider vinegar

Rinse and pick over the black beans, then add to a large pot and cover with 3-4 inches of water. Bring to a boil and cook for 2 minutes, then remove from the heat, cover the pot, and let sit for 1 hour. Drain and rinse the beans, then add to the slow cooker along with all of the ingredients except for the salt and the lime juice or vinegar. Cook for 8 hours on low. When the soup is finished, add the salt and the lime juice or vinegar. Add additional salt if needed. To finish the soup, use an immersion blender just long enough to thicken the soup, but keep some beans and vegetables whole. Makes 10 cups.

Vegetarian Chili

2 tbsp vegetable oil

4 cloves garlic, minced

1 tsp dried minced onion

1 tsp cumin seeds

1 red bell pepper, diced

1 serrano or anaheim pepper, diced

1 medium zucchini, diced

1 large carrot, diced

3 cups cooked kidney beans

1 1/2 cups cooked black beans

1 tbsp chili powder

1 tsp cocoa powder

1 28 oz. can diced tomatoes

1 cup vegetable broth

3/4 tsp salt

black pepper to taste

Heat the oil in a large pot over medium heat, then add the garlic onion, and cumin seeds. Cook for 1 minute and then add the peppers, zucchini, carrot, and 1/4 tsp salt. Cook for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add  the beans along with the chili powder and cocoa and stir to coat, then add the tomatoes and broth.  Bring the chili to a boil and then lower the heat to a simmer and cook for 45-50 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent burning. Add the remaining 1/2 tsp salt and add black pepper and additional salt to taste.

Black Bean Burgers

1 15 oz. can black beans
3/4 cup wheat gluten
3/4 tsp cumin seeds
1/4 tsp coriander seeds
1 tsp mild paprika
1 tsp smoked paprika
1/4 tsp dried oregano
1/2 tsp dried minced onion
1/4 tsp dried garlic granules
1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
1/4 tsp salt
few grinds black pepper
1 tbsp ketchup
1 tbsp olive oil
1/4 cup warm water

Drain and rinse the beans, add to a medium bowl, and mash well with a fork. In a spice grinder, combine the cumin seeds, coriander seeds, mild and smoked paprikas, and oregano and grind together, then add to the beans along with the minced onion, dried garlic, cayenne, black pepper, and salt. Mix together along with the ketchup and olive oil, and water, then add the wheat gluten. Mix with a fork until combined, then knead by hand for 2-3 minutes until the mixture comes together. Separate the mixture into four equal-sized balls, then flatten into patties. When ready to cook, add 1 tsp of vegetable oil per patty to a pan and cook over medium heat for 5 minutes on each side.