spicy bean soup

Here is a recipe that I loved. You can add so much more than I did. It is very filling like a stew. I made a whole pot and the next day it was gone.

Ingredients:
3 tbsp olive oil
1 onion chopped
2 celery stalks chopped
2 carrots chopped
5 cloves of garlic chopped
2 tbsp chili powder
1/2 tbsp ground coriander
1/2 tbsp ground cumin
1 tsp dried oregano
1/2 tsp dried crushed red pepper
1 large can of diced tomatoes (i used the kind with italian seasoning)
6 oz.tomato juice
3 tbsp of tomato paste
1 tsp salt
4-5 cups chicken broth
2 cans cannelini beans drained and rinsed
1/2 cup dried green lentils
for garnish:
grated Parmesan cheese
fresh chopped basil

Directions:
Heat the oil in a large stockpot over medium heat. Add the onions, celery, carrots and garlic. You can also add green bell pepper here if you want. Saute until the onions are clear or translucent 10-15 minutes.

Add the chili powder, coriander, cumin, oregano and crushed red pepper, cook for 2 minutes. Stir in the tomatoes with their juices, tomato juice, tomato paste and salt. Add the broth, cannelini beans and lentils. Bring to a simmer and let it sit for about 25- 30 minutes or until the lentils are tender.

Ladle into bowls and top with grated Parmesan cheese and fresh chopped basil.

You can also add fresh vegetables and other types of beans like broccoli, zuchini and yellow squash and garbanzo beans.