Black Bean Chili 2

Ingredient -- Preparation Method
--------  ------------  --------------------------------
   4      C             Dried black turtle beans
                        Cloves garlic -- crushed
   2      Tsp           Ground cumin
   2 1/4  Tsp           Salt
                        Black pepper to taste
   2      Tsp           Dried basil
     1/2  Tsp           Dried oregano
                        Crushed red pepper*
   1      tbsp          Fresh lime juice
                        Green bell peppers**
   2      tbsp          Olive oil
     1/2  c             Tomato puree
                        4-oz cans diced green chiles
                        Red Onion Salsa recipe
                        -----TOPPING-----
                        Grated cheese and sour cream

*or cayenne, to taste.
**medium-sized, chopped.

1)Soak the beans in plenty of water for several hours or overnight. Drain
off the soaking water, and cook in  fresh boiling water, partly covered,
until tender (1  to 1 1/2 hours). Check the water level during cooking;
add more as necessary. Transfer the cooked beans to a  large kettle or
saucepan. Include about 2 to 3 cups of  their cooking water.

2)In a heavy skillet, saute  garlic, seasonings, lime juice, and bell
peppers in  olive oil over medium-low heat until the peppers are  tender
(10 to 15 minutes).

3)Add the saute to the cooked beans, along with tomato puree and minced
green chilies. Simmer, covered, over _very_ low heat, stirring every now
and then, for about 45 minutes. (Make the salsa during this time.)

4)Serve topped with Red Onion Salsa and, if desired, grated cheese and
sour cream.