Waking up to snow falling and piling up on the ground inspires two things in me: the desire to curl up with a cup of coffee and watch it fall, and the desire to cook. Ideally, cook something that will leave my nest smelling fantastic and have us all filled with thoughts of warmth and comfort.
So it's not terribly surprising that when snowflakes fell on my morning, thoughts of chili entered my mind. However, rather than opt for a from-scratch, hours-on-the-stove recipe, I took advantage of leftovers and canned foods to make a quick and easy turkey chili that's perfect for a cold, snowy day. If you don't have leftover turkey, chicken also works well. I like to serve chili with warm cornbread, but noodles, rice, or bread bowls would all be equally tasty. Cheddar cheese is a good, traditional topping, but pepper jack cheese can be a nice addition if you want your chili even spicier! Enjoy and keep warm.
Turkey-Black Bean Chili
- 2 T. olive oil
- 1 onion, diced
- 1 T. minced garlic
- 2 tsp. death sauce*
- 1 T. chili powder
- 1 (15-oz.) can diced tomatoes
- 1 (15 oz.) can black beans, rinsed and drained
- 2 c. turkey stock
- 2 c. chopped, cooked turkey
- Sour cream and grated cheese for garnish (optional)
Heat the olive oil in a large saucepan over medium-heat, and add the onion once the oil is hot. Sauté the onion for 3-4 minutes, until translucent, then add the garlic, and sauté for another minute. Add the death sauce*, and chili powder and stir to combine.
Add the tomatoes, beans, and stock to the pot. Bring to a boil, then lower the heat and simmer on low, uncovered, for about 30 minutes. Check pot occasionally during this time, and add water if necessary to keep the mixture from scorching. After 30 minutes, add the chopped turkey and cook for another 2 minutes. Remove from the heat, and serve hot, garnished with sour cream and cheese, if desired.
* To make death sauce, open a can of chipotle peppers in adobo sauce and puree until a paste forms. This is death sauce. It's a great addition to any dish you want to add some heat to. I love adding a small amount to some mayo to make a spicy sandwich spread.
- Yields: 4 servings
- Preparation Time: 45 minutes