Harissa and White Bean Chili

Harissa and White Bean Chili

Tweaked from cooking.nytimes.com (serves 4-5 generous servings)

2 tablespoons olive oil

1 small red onion, diced

2 **reds or orange bell peppers**, seeded and diced

2 jalapeños, separated (1 seeded and diced, 1 sliced into thin rounds for garnish)

Kosher salt

Black pepper

1 to 2 tablespoons harissa, depending on heat preference

1 (heaping) teaspoon ground cumin

1 (heaping) teaspoon dried oregano

2 (double) garlic cloves, grated or minced

1 (10-ounce, 1 pint) container cherry or grape tomatoes (or SUBSTITUTE 1- 14.5 ounce can of diced and fire roasted tomatoes with organic green chiles)

2 tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce (or Tamari for gluten-free)

2 (15-ounce) cans white beans, such as cannellini or great Northern, drained and rinsed (consider only draining one can, liquid can work as a thickener)

2 cups low-sodium vegetable broth (or chicken stock)

2 limes, separated (1 halved, 1 cut into wedges for serving)

3 packed cups baby spinach (add at end before serving, cook until wilted)

Toppings

Full-fat yogurt or sour cream, for serving

1 avocado, sliced or cubed, for serving

¼ cup packed cilantro or parsley leaves and tender stems, roughly chopped or torn, for serving

½ cup crumbled feta or grated Parmesan or mozzarella, for serving

In a Dutch oven or large pot, heat the oil over medium-high until shimmering. Add the onion, bell pepper and diced jalapeño, and season with salt. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the onions just start to soften in color and texture, about 3 minutes.

Stir in the harissa, cumin, oregano and garlic, and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute.

Add the tomatoes or canned tomatoes, season lightly with salt and cook, stirring occasionally, until most of the tomatoes have burst, 6 to 7 minutes, lowering the heat if the onions threaten to burn (or a few minutes if using canned).

Stir in the soy sauce, scraping up anything on the bottom of the pot, until combined, about 1 minute.

Add the white beans and broth, season with salt, and raise the heat to bring it to a gentle boil. Adjust the heat to maintain a simmer, then cook until the broth thickens and the beans become soft and creamy, stirring occasionally to make sure nothing is sticking to the bottom, about 12 to 15 minutes. Smash any remaining whole tomatoes against the side of the pot.

Squeeze in the lime halves, and season to taste with salt and pepper.

Stir in the spinach in batches until wilted.

Divide among bowls and top each with a spoonful of yogurt, followed by the avocado, cilantro, feta and jalapeño rounds. Serve with the lime wedges.