Stovetop Dried Beans Base Recipe - Make it Your Way! (Video)

Ingredients

• 1 pound dried beans ((~2 cups))
• 6-8 cups water or low-sodium broth or stock ((~2 inches above top of beans))
• 1 bay leaf
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• 2 Tablespoons vinegar, lemon juice, or lime juice
• Salt to taste ((after cooking))
• 1 Tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
• 1 small onion, diced ((~1 cup))
• ½ cup diced bell pepper
• ½ cup diced carrots
• ½ cup diced celery
• 3 garlic cloves, minced ((~1 ½ teaspoons))
• 1-2 Tablespoons spice(s)
• 14-ounce can diced, crushed, or fire-roasted tomatoes
• 4-ounce can green chilies
• 2 chipotle peppers in adobo, minced (+1 teaspoon adobo)
• 1-2 sprigs fresh rosemary or thyme
• 1-2 Tablespoons chopped fresh herbs ((1-2 teaspoons dried))