Turkey Chili

This is IT!!  The recipe that I’ve been trying to perfect since I started this blog and by George, I think I’ve got it!  Seriously, how hard is it to make chili???  Okay, no, it’s not that hard, but I want it to be magical!  Not just plain run-of-the-mill chili, but the kind of chili that makes people say, “Wow!  Jenn makes the best chili!”  Okay, so I’m a bit of an overachiever, and I guess a little needy of acceptance…but even if I can’t get others to yell their praises from the rooftops, I DO aspire to make a pretty decent chili…and like I said before…this little sucker might actually be the one.

First off, let’s talk about how healthy chili really is.  And this one’s got 99% lean ground turkey in it, black and black-eyed beans, lots of yummy veggies and is made with my HUMONGO heirloom tomatoes from my garden.  Alright, alright, YOU may not use your own fresh tomatoes, I’m not all saying you have to, but I was excited that I got to use mine…and if you DO have your own, use them!

I’m not lying, look at this tomato…and even though I have super freaky tiny hands, you can see how big they really are!  And there’s another one in the background and one off to the side you can’t see…HUGE, that’s all I’m sayin’.

And look at how beautious they are!  And the gorgeousness of them all smooshed up: 

Ingredients:

1 T extra virgin olive oil

2 cloves garlic, minced

1 package (about 20oz) 99% lean ground turkey

2 T low sodium Worcestershire sauce

1 packet of chili mix

12oz of your favorite beer – YES, beer!

28oz can crushed tomatoes

1 8oz can of tomato sauce

1 medium onion diced

1 large green pepper, chopped

1 large red pepper, chopped

2 poblano peppers, charred and chopped (see below)

1 15oz can black beans, drained and rinsed

1 15oz can black eyed peas, drained and rinsed

1 15oz can corn, drained

1/2 cup chopped jalapenos with juice
1 T chili powder
2 tsp cumin

Preparation:

This is the easy part!!

It always takes me the longest to chop the veggies – I need better knife skills!  But I LOVE to chop veggies!  To me, it’s relaxing…weird, huh?  Anyway, once your veggies are chopped, this comes together super quickly and then you throw everything into the slow cooker!

1.    In a large skillet, heat oil over med/high heat.  Add the garlic and sauté for about 1 minute.  Add the ground turkey and break it apart with the back of your spatula or wooden spoon…or that handy dandy breaker-apart-thing (I think it’s officially called the Mix ‘N Chop) from Pampered Chef (I love that thing!).

2.    Pour the Worcestershire sauce over the turkey and continue to cook until it’s no longer pink and beginning to brown.

3.    Sprinkle with the chili packet.

 

4.    Add the beer!  Stir to incorporate and get all of the spices and turkey and beer mixed together…

5.    Simmer for about 5 minutes.  I don’t like for all of the beer to evaporate because I want some in the chili itself.  So don’t let the goodness evaporate!

6.    NOW, throw everything into the slow cooker and mix it all up!

 7.    Cook on low 6-8 hours and ENJOY!!

I served ours with some Portuguese Saloio bread – sooo good!!

Okay, I have to go yell my own praises from my rooftop – BYE!

Nutrition:

Serves 12 – approximately 1 cup/serving

Calories 208 / Carbs 28g / Fat 3g / Protein 17g / Fiber 7g / Sodium 713mg