Black bean chili with red onion salsa

4      cups          Dried black turtle beans
   5                    Cloves garlic -- crushed
   2      teaspoons     Ground cumin
   2 1/4  teaspoons     Salt -- optional
                        Black pepper -- to taste
   2      teaspoons     Dried basil
     1/2  teaspoon      Dried oregano
                        Crushed red pepper OR
                        Cayenne -- to taste
   1      tablespoon    Fresh lime juice
   2      medium        Green bell peppers -- chopped
   2      tablespoons   olive oil
     1/2  cup           Tomato puree
   2      cans          Diced green chilies - 4 oz
                        Red onion salsa -- recipe

                        Cheddar cheese -- grated
                        Monterey jack cheese -- grated
                        Sour cream -- for topping
                        -----RED ONION SALSA-----
   2      cups          Red onion -- chopped
     1/2  cup           Fresh cilantro -- minced
   2      cups          Fresh tomatoes -- minced
     1/2  teaspoon      Salt -- optional
   1      cup           parsley -- minced
                        Black pepper to taste

Soak beans in plenty of water for several hours or overnight. Drain off
soaking water and cook in fresh boiling water, partly covered, until
tender (1-1/2 hours). Check water level during cooking; add more as
necessary. Transfer the cooked beans to a large kettle or saucepan.
Include about 2-3 cups of their cooking liquid.
In a heavy skillet, saute garlic, seasonings, lime juice, and bell
peppers in olive oil over medium-low heat until the peppers are tender
(10-15 minutes.
Add the saute to the cooked beans, along with tomato puree and minced
green chilies.  Simmer uncovered over very low heat stirring now and
then for about 45 minutes. (Make the salsa during this time.) Serve
topped with Red Onion Salsa and, if desired, grated cheese and sour
cream. RED ONION SALSA DIRECTIONS: Combine all ingredients and mix well.
For a finer consistency, give the mixture a bried whirl or two in a food