Red Lentil Chili

Ingredients

• 2 ounces dates (approximately 9 Deglet Noor)
• 1 pound red lentils
• 7 cups water, divided
• 2 14.5-ounce cans salt-free diced tomatoes (fire roasted preferred)
• 1 6-ounce can salt-free tomato paste
• 10 ounces chopped onion (approximately one large)
• 1 pound red bell pepper, (approximately 2 large), finely chopped*
• 8 cloves garlic, finely minced
• 4 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
• 1½ tablespoons dried parsley
• 1½ tablespoons dried oregano
• 1½ tablespoons salt-free chili powder
• 2 teaspoons smoked paprika (different than regular paprika)
• ½ teaspoon chipotle powder (or more to taste)
• ¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (or more to taste)
• scallions (for topping at the end)
• Faux Parmesan (for topping at the end)