Sunday Recipe: Beth's Black Bean Vegetarian Chili

I received some requests for Beth's Black Bean Vegetarian Chili recipe, and after losing 2 out of 3 armwrestling matches, she has graciously agreed to let me post it.

Black Bean Vegetarian Chili

• In a large pot, heat 2 tablespoons vegetable oil. Add 1 chopped onion and two tablespoons chili powder and cook to soften.
• Add two cans diced tomatoes (in summer, use fresh), two cans black beans (drained), one can sweet corn (again, can be fresh in summer)
• Chop and add 1-2 green peppers, 2 zucchini, and 2 cloves of minced garlic. Sliced mushrooms can also be added if desired.
• Add 1-2 tablespoons lemon pepper, 2-3 shakes Tobasco sauce and additional chili powder to taste.
• Add ¼ cup lime juice.
• Add ½ water and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and allow to simmer for 15 minutes.
• Add additional seasoning to taste; I tend to make it quite spicy and lime-y.
• Serve as is or over rice.
• Top with cheese and tortilla chips if desired.
  

P.S. There were actually two answers to the pop culture bonus question from yesterday's post. I knew the quote from the "Once More, with Feeling" episode of Buffy the Vampire Slayer. However, that quote was apparently a very dirty joke relating to Tom Cruise's chauvinistic "motivational" speaker in Magnolia. I did not realize this until after I already published the post. Therefore, if you knew either Buffy or Magnolia, you were right. If you knew both, you had me beat.