Vegetarian Chili

Ingredients

• 3 stalks celery
• 1 large carrot scrubbed skin left on
• 1 medium green pepper
• 1/2 pound cremini mushrooms
• 1 medium green zucchini
• 1 medium cooking onion
• 1 can diced tomatoes 28 oz can
• 1 can red kidney beans 19 oz can
• 1 can Lupin beans 19 oz can
• 1 can tomato paste 6 oz can
• 4 clove garlic chopped
• 6 drops liquid smoke
• 1/2 vanilla scraped
• 1/2 teaspoon chili flakes
• 3 tablespoons chili powder heaping tablespoons
• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• 1/2 cup shredded cheddar (optional)
• salt and pepper to taste

Directions

1. Chop all vegetables
2. Heat oil in a large pot over medium high heat
3. Add vegetables, salt and pepper and saute for 8 minutes
4. add garlic and saute for another 2 minutes
5. Add remaining ingredients except cheese and blend well
6. Reduce heat to simmer and cover
7. Simmer for 1 1/2 hours stirring occasionally. Adjust seasoning to taste.

Top with cheese if desired.