Chili is one of my favorite meals to cook. It’s quick and easy, suitable for leftover lunches and tacos, and is always a hit in my kitchen. [It’s one of my BF’s favorites!] I typically stir up a pot on a rainy, gloomy day – which we’ve had quite a few the past few days. It’s warm and comforting when the weather isn’t, and loaded with lots of fresh ingredients!

Ingredients:

1-2 lbs of fresh ground turkey *If you like lots of meat, use 2. Otherwise, use 1!
1 diced yellow onion
1/2 diced large pepper *any color will do!
2 cloves finely chopped garlic
1 chopped jalapeno
1 can black beans
1 can red kidney beans
1 can crushed tomatoes
1 can diced tomatoes
Fresh Cilantro
Chili seasoning *see below
Olive Oil

Your ingredients may vary according to your liking. If I have corn on hand, I’ll throw some in, too!

Chili Seasoning:

Rather than purchasing the premade chili packets from the grocery store (which give me a headache every time) I concocted a recipe using my own spices at home! I don’t use any particular amounts of one versus the other, but rather go more with taste.

Chili Powder
Cumin
Cayenne Pepper *caution: very hot
Paprika
Garlic + Pepper
Red Pepper Flakes *these are spicy

1. Once you have all your ingredients chopped up, sautee the peppers, onions, and garlic in 2 tbsp. olive oil until slightly cooked through. Add in your beans + crushed tomatoes to make a stew-like mixture. Simmer for about five minutes. (I do this process in my large pot.) Salt lightly to taste; sprinkle chili powder.

2. Meanwhile, in a separate skillet, cook the ground turkey. Keep excess juices.

3. Once turkey is cooked and mixture has simmered, add turkey and its juices and crushed tomatoes to simmering mixture. Stir thoroughly. Immediately add chili seasoning (above).

4. Reduce heat to low + simmer for a few hours, until desired taste – or if you just can’t wait to eat!

5. Serve hot, garnished with fresh cilantro and any of your favorite chili toppings (cheese, sour cream, salsa)

Voila! Quick + Easy, but super healthy bowl o’ chili.