Northwest Chili - Half Cup Habit

Ingredients

• 1 cup onion (chopped)
• 2 large cloves garlic (minced)
• 1 1/2 tbsp canola oil
• 1 cup lentils (dried; rinsed)
• 1 cup potato (diced)
• 1⁄2 cup carrot (shredded)
• 1 bell pepper (green; seeded and chopped)
• 1 tbsp chili powder (or to taste)
• 2 1⁄2 cups water
• 2 tsp beef bouillon cubes (or 2 vegetable bouillon cubes)
• 14 1/2 ounces tomatoes ((1 can))
• 1 8 oz can tomato sauce
• 1 15 oz can chickpeas ((1 can) drained and rinsed, or about 2 cups boiled*)
• 1⁄4 tsp red pepper flakes (or to taste)
• salt and pepper (to taste)