• In a large Dutch oven or heavy-bottomed pot over medium heat, warm the olive oil until shimmering. Add the chopped onion, bell pepper, carrot, celery and 1/4 teaspoon of the salt. Stir to combine and cook, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are tender and the onion is translucent, about 7 to 10 minutes.
• Add the garlic, chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika and oregano. Cook until fragrant while stirring constantly, about 1 minute.
• Add the diced tomatoes and their juices, the drained black beans and pinto beans, vegetable broth and bay leaf. Stir to combine and let the mixture come to a simmer. Continue cooking, stirring occasionally and reducing heat as necessary to maintain a gentle simmer, for 30 minutes.
• Remove the chili from the heat and discard the bay leaf. For the best texture and flavor, transfer 1 1/2 cups of the chili to a blender, making sure to get some of the liquid portion. Securely fasten the lid and blend until smooth (watch out for hot steam), then pour the blended mixture back into the pot. (Or, you can blend the chili briefly with an immersion blender, or mash the chili with a potato masher until it reaches a thicker, more chili-like consistency.)
• Add the chopped cilantro, stir to combine, and then mix in the vinegar, to taste. Add salt to taste, too—I added 1/4 teaspoon more at this point. Divide the mixture into individual bowls and serve with garnishes of your choice. This chili will keep well in the refrigerator for about 4 days or you can freeze it for longer-term storage.

• If not using oven ready noodles, cook pasta according to directions. Drain and rinse in cold water

Sauce

• Heat olive oil in large sauce pot or stock pot over medium high heat. Add onion and garlic and cook until just translucent, but not brown.
• Add beef and sausage, breaking up large clumps with a spoon. After meat is no longer pink add shredded carrots and saute for 3 minutes.
• Add in herbs and chili flakes and stir to combine. Add tomato paste and stir until mixed thoroughly. Cook for 3 minutes more.
• Pour in crushed tomatoes and red wine if using. If not using wine pour water into empty crushed tomato can to rinse, and put into sauce. Simmer for 15 minutes. While simmering you can prepare filling.

Lasagna

• Preheat oven to 375. Drain pasta and dry on paper towels or kitchen towel. Place thin layer of sauce on bottom of 9x13 baking dish. Topped with lasagna. Spoon a layer of the cheese mixture over noodles and spread to coat evenly. Layer with more sauce and 1/3 cup mozzarella and sprinkle of paremsan. Repeat twice more for a total of 3 layers. Cover with foil and place in oven for 20 minutes. Remove foil and cook for additional 10 minutes

• Heat oil in large saute pan until hot. Add dried herbs and cook until completely dark, almost burnt. It will be very fragrant.
• Add chicken meat stirring to cook evenly.
• Add in onions, garlic and chipotles. Cook for a few minutes stirring to incorporate everything together.
• Add in heavy cream and reduce until it is thick almost yogurt consistency. (the sour cream will thin it out when you add it).
• Add in crema(or sour cream) and stir to mix in. Sauce will thin out. Reduce until creamy. Garnish with chopped cilantro.