Black Bean and Hominy Stew

• Recipe by Grace Parisi

Ingredients

1. 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
2. 1 green bell pepper, coarsely chopped
3. 1 medium onion, coarsely chopped
4. 1 large garlic clove, minced
5. 1/2 pound smoked ham, sliced 1/2 inch thick and cut into 1/2-inch dice
6. 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
7. 1/2 teaspoon coriander
8. 1 canned chipotle chile in adobo, minced (about 1 teaspoon)
9. Two 15-ounce cans black beans, drained
10. One 15-ounce can hominy, drained
11. 1 1/2 cups chicken stock or canned low-sodium broth
12. 1/4 cup finely chopped cilantro
13. Salt and freshly ground pepper
14. 1/2 cup shredded Cheddar cheese

Directions

1. In a large saucepan, heat the olive oil until shimmering. Add the bell pepper, onion and garlic and cook over moderately high heat until the vegetables are just beginning to brown, about 4 minutes. Add the ham, cumin, coriander and chipotle and cook until the ham is lightly browned, about 3 minutes longer. Add the black beans, hominy and stock and bring to a boil. Simmer the stew over moderate heat until slightly thickened, about 10 minutes.
2. Add the cilantro and season the stew with salt and pepper. Spoon the stew into deep bowls, sprinkle with the Cheddar and serve.

Serve With

Warm corn tortillas and a bowl of sour cream.