9 of Your 5-A-Day Chilli

An easy, satisfying chilli that can be served with (or with out meat) that includes 9 vegetables and legumes. My family loves it and it would be great the second day if there was any left. It is very hearty and all of the vegetables can be left as large bite-size pieces since they will simmer for an hour.

• Ready In: 1 hr 40 mins
• Serves: 6-8

Ingredients

• 1⁄4 cup olive oil, cut into chunks (or chilli oil if you prefer)
• 1  pepper, red or yellow
• 2  tomatoes, quartered
• 2  medium onions, in large slices
• 2  carrots, peeled and cut into chunks
• 5 -6  garlic cloves
• 2  chili peppers, mild or medium (depending on your taste)
• 1⁄2 cup red lentil, washed
• 2 (8 ounce) cans stewed tomatoes
• 1 (15 ounce) can kidney beans, rinsed
• 1  lb ground beef (or vegetarian mince)
• 2  cups beef broth
• 2  tablespoons tomato paste
• 3  tablespoons  chilli mixed spice (see below)
• 1  cup  sweet corn, frozen
• 1 (8 ounce) box mushrooms, washed, stemmed and quartered
•  salt and pepper

Directions

1. Heat oil in a heavy pan big enough to fit all of the ingredients.
2. Add the fresh vegetables (pepper, onion, tomatoes, carrots, garlic, chilli). Cover and sweat vegetables for 10 minutes.
3. In separate pan, brown the ground beef in a small amount of olive oil.
4. Add chilli spice mix to vegetables and coat vegetables.
5. Add mince, stewed tomatoes, lentils, broth, beans and tomato paste.
6. Cover and let simmer for 1 hour, stirring occaisionally.
7. Add the mushrooms and sweet corn and simmer an additional 20 minutes.
8. Season with salt and pepper.
9. Serve with pasta, rice or steak fries.
10. For Chilli Spice Mix:
11. 4 Tablespoons cumin seed, 2 Tablespoon Coriander seed, 1/2 Tablespoon Chilli powder, 1/2 tablespoon Oregano, 2 tablespoon Paprika, 7-10 Black peppercorns, 1/2 Tablespoon Salt.
12. Blend all ingredients in a coffee grinder or mortar and pestle. Makes enough for several recipes. Store in an airtight container.