1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (or to taste – of course, I used more!)
1 tablespoon chili powder … or more!
2 to 3 teaspoons ground cumin
1 teaspoon dried leaf oregano
1 bay leaf
2 cans (14 oz. each) diced tomatoes in juice
1 tablespoon soy sauce
1 1/2 cups water
1 can (6 oz.) tomato paste
1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
2 cups of frozen sweet corn
2 cans (16 ounces each) black beans, drained and rinsed
2 cans (16 ounces each) beans — pinto, garbanzo, great northern, kidney beans, etc. — drained and rinsed
GARNISHES: grated cheese, sour cream, green onion, or other
Instructions
Heat the oil in a skillet and sauté the onions, garlic and red pepper flakes. Cook 1 minute, then add chili powder and cumin and cook 2 minutes, stirring.
Add this mixture to the crock pot along with all remaining ingredients.