Bean and Lentil Chili

All Chili recipes are dependent on the the spices used. This is a simple one that can be made more or less potent with the amounts and quality of the chili powder, salt, or additional spices like cumin or cayenne. (Revised 10/24/20)

Ingredients:
One cup of brown or green lentils
One can of black or red beans, rinsed and drained
One can of diced tomatoes (I like to puree it with a stick blender a little before adding)
One medium green bell pepper chopped
One medium onion chopped
4 cloves of garlic minced
Two tablespoons of your best chili powder
One teaspoon of salt (or more)
Three cups of water or stock.
One cup of chopped cilantro optional

Directions:
Saute the onions, green pepper and garlic in three tablespoons of olive oil for about five minutes, add the rest of the ingredients except the beans. Bring to a boil then simmer for 35 to 50  minutes, until the lentils are very tender. Add the beans, bring back to a boil, then simmer for another 10 minutes. Add optional cilantro.
Serve with sour cream or yogurt.