Turkey Chili
Picture and recipe slightly adapted from www.simplyrecipes.com
INGREDIENTS
2 cups chopped onion
4 garlic cloves, chopped fine
1 cup chopped green pepper
1/4 cup olive oil
Two 28 oz cans crushed tomatoes
Two 15 oz cans kidney beans, drained
2 Tbsp tomato paste
3/4 cup chicken or turkey stock
2 Tbsp chili powder (If you don't want it too spicy, start with 1 T and add more to taste.)
1 Tbsp ground cumin
1 Tbsp dried hot red pepper flakes (Again, start with 1/2 T and add more to taste to control spice.)
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1 Tbsp salt, plus more if desired to taste
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
3 to 4 cups of shredded, cooked turkey meat
Sugar
Mexican hot chocolate (optional)Shredded cheddar cheese, chopped red onion, sour cream for optional garnish.
METHOD
1 In a large, 8-quart, thick-bottom pot, cook the onion and green pepper over medium high heat, stirring, until golden, about 5 minutes. Add the garlic, chili powder, cumin, and red pepper flakes and cook, stirring, for a minute or two more. Add a bit more olive oil if needed.
2 Add tomatoes, tomato paste, stock. beans, oregano, salt, pepper, and cooked turkey meat. Bring mixture to a simmer and reduce heat to low. Simmer, uncovered, for an hour.
3 Salt to taste. Add 1 to 3 teaspoons of sugar to take the edge of the acidity of the tomatoes if desired. (I also grated in a few tablespoons of a Mexican hot chocolate bar. Just a little bit gives it a great depth of flavor.)
The chili may be made in advance and chilled for 2 days, or frozen for 2 months.
Serve with shredded cheddar cheese, chopped red onion, and or sour cream. Serve alone, over rice, noodles, or with corn bread.
