(great source of protein, fiber, complex-carbs)
(It really tastes the “best” after 24 hours!)
1 lb. fresh ground turkey
1 sweet onion, chopped
1 green pepper, chopped
1 clove garlic, minced
1 ½ tsp. chili powder
2 cans Old El Paso Chopped Green Chilies (4.5 oz. cans) (or one 6.5 oz. can) w/liquid
2 cans Del Monte diced tomatoes w/Zesty Mild Chilies or Zesty Chili Style w/liquid (14.5 oz. can - I use one of each!)
1 can tomato paste (6 oz.)
Salt (to taste)
Pepper (to taste)
1 large can RED Kidney Beans (2 lbs.8 ½ oz.) – DO NOT DRAIN
In large (6 qt.) pot, brown ground turkey, chopping it into small pieces as it browns. Drain any fat. Return it to the pot. (I place the cooked meat in a strainer and run hot water over it. Then I wipe-out the pot.)
Add: onion, green pepper, garlic, chili powder, green chilies, chopped tomatoes, tomato paste, salt, and pepper. Stir well, mixing all ingredients and breaking down the tomato paste. Simmer for 1 hour on low heat, stirring every 10-15 minutes.
After one hour, shake the can of kidney beans, tuning upside down several times, before you open it. Add entire can of Kidney beans, liquid and all, to the mixture. Heat through for about 20-30 minutes on low heat. Sauce should thicken slightly.
Serve in small crock bowls. It is great just by itself!
Other options: top with 1 or 2 T. shredded low fat Mexican or cheddar cheese, and a few (4-5) baked tortilla chips. It is also great just by itself!
Chili freezes well for up to six months
It really tastes the “best” after 24 hours!
You can substitute the equivalent of frozen chopped onions/green peppers if you choose Commercially minced garlic is o.k. to use (comes in a jar, produce section)
Go easy on the salt, as canned tomatoes, kidney beans, and green chilies have a lot of sodium in them already
Go easy on the pepper, depending on how much chili powder you use. Unless, of course, you like 5-alarm chili!
A small amount of chili is great over a steaming baked potato, instead of butter and/or sour cream
Chili is great in or over an omelet.
A ¼ c. is a great afternoon or evening snack
Bon appetite!
