A Pot Full of Love

Jasper White has said, “Food is Love” and I believe this to be true. The meals we share with our family, the time we spend creating delicious feasts and satisfying snacks and those family recipes we hold sacred. There is a whole world of emotion stored in our food memories. This is my favorite time of year for food because I love comfort foods. You know what I’m talking about when I say comfort foods – stick to your ribs, warming and delicious stews and chilis. Those one pot wonders that simmer for hours and make you hunger for what feels like days as they cook on the hob. The best part is the leftovers. Don’t they always taste better the next day? Or the day after that?

Anyway, today I’d love to share my favorite chili recipe. It is my aunt’s and it’s certainly a one pot wonder. My husband and kids love it!

Turkey Chili with all the fixin’s

Turkey Chili

1 lb ground turkey (I used 2 lbs on Sunday to make it heartier) (If using beef, I use 1/2 lb ground sirloin/1/2 lb ground pork)
2 large green peppers cut into big pieces
1/2 very large onion cut into large pieces
1 pkg of chili dry ingredients
2 t oregano
1 T cumin
1/2 t chili powder
1/4 t cayenne pepper (the heat…put more in to your liking)
salt & pepper to taste
4 cloves of garlic, finely chopped
2 cans red kidney beans, rinsed
1 large can of chunky style “Kitchen Ready” canned tomatoes

Sour Cream
shredded extra sharp cheddar cheese

Add small amount of oil to pot and brown turkey. Add pepper, onion, garlic and seasonings, stirring until vegetables are half cooked.

Add rinsed kidney beans and tomato sauce. I love to use fire roasted tomatoes for their smokey BBQ flavor. Bring to a boil, and lower heat to low.

Cook for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally so it won’t stick to the bottom of the pot.

Garnish with a dollop of sour cream and shredded cheddar cheese.

My boys love this served over brown rice. If you have leftovers (and you will!) you can put the chili in tortillas with shredded cheese and make meat quesadillas. My kids love these.