Chili with Chipotle

Chili with Chipotle

1 tablespoon olive oil
1 teaspoon garlic, minced
1 onion, diced, plus 1/4 cup for garnish
1/2 red bell pepper, diced
1/2 green pepper, diced
2 carrots, diced
2 teaspoons cumin
1/4 teaspoon thyme
1 teaspoon oregano
1/4 teaspoon 21 seasoning salute
1 bay leaf
1.2 lbs lean ground beef/turkey
2 1/2 cups water
4 cups diced tomatoes
1 chipotle pepper (in adobo sauce), minced
2 1/2 teaspoons adobo sauce
1 can organic kidney beans, rinsed
1 can organic black beans, rinsed
1 can organic pinto beans, rinsed
salt and pepper to taste
sour cream, garnish
cheddar cheese, grated, for garnish

Heat olive oil and garlic in a  dutch oven (or heavy saucepan) over medium-high heat, until fragrant.  Add the onions, red/green bell pepper and carrots, stirring until soft, about 10 minutes.  Stir in cumin, thyme and oregano stirring for 1 minute.  Add bay leaf, 21 seasoning salute and beef.  Cook beef until no longer pink.  Pour water, diced tomatoes, adobo sauce and chipotle pepper.  Cook partially covered for 30 minutes.

Add black, pinto and kidney beans to chili, cook for an additional 20-25 minutes.  Add salt and pepper to taste. 

Serve immediately, garnishing with cheddar cheese, diced onions and sour cream.