Vegan 3-Bean Slow Cooker Chili

I think I figured it out! After more years of fiddling with my chili recipe, I've come up with a vegan option. It's pretty close to my 2011 version, but much easier to make and no bacon grease. Also no fake-meat crumbles (I experimented with them, but they don't add much in my opinion). Don't worry though, there is a different secret ingredient that is surprising and yummy.

Ingredients:
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 carrots, diced
1 celery stalk, diced
1/2 green bell pepper, diced
1 small onion, chopped
1 T extra-virgin olive oil
1/2 t dried basil leaf
1/2 t dried oregano leaf
3/4 cup water
1 large (25 oz) can pinto beans (or red beans)
1 large (25 oz) can kidney beans
1 large (25 oz) can black beans
3/4 cup tomato sauce, strained tomato, or plain tomato juice
1 t cumin seeds
1/2 t umami powder (Trader Joe's makes one, it can be optional)
1 t chocolate chips
pinch salt

1. Add the garlic, carrots, celery and green pepper to your slow cooker.

2. In a saute pan, stir-fry onion in heated olive oil until it's glassy and starting to brown slightly. Turn heat to low and add basil and oregano and barely heat. (This is to "open" the spices so they start releasing fragrance and flavor.)

3. Scrape onion and spices into slow cooker, then deglaze the pan with water, scraping the bottom and stirring to collect and gather any tasty bits and stray herbs. Pour the water into the slow cooker.

4. Drain each can of beans and add the beans to the slow cooker. Add tomato sauce, cumin seeds, umami powder (if using), and chocolate chips.

5. Stir! Add pinch of salt. Set slow cooker to low and leave for 6 hours.

6. After 6 hours, mash up at least 1/3 of the beans using a potato masher or just a wooden spoon. If the chili is too watery, turn up the heat and leave the lid ajar for 1-2 more hours so it can steam off liquid. If it is too dry, add a little water and do not turn up heat.

7. After 8 hours, it should be done! Top with whatever you like--we use grated cheddar cheese.

 
I paired this with King Arthur Flour cornbread (following recipe for 12 individual muffins) and served them with butter and honey. Vegetarian perfection!

Do you make slow cooker chili? Do you think chili includes beans? Does your chili have a secret ingredient? Please tell all in the comments below.