It’s CHILI…

After a long, cold, and likely snowy commute home, all I want is a warm and comforting meal. The solution is simple: fight the chilly with some chili!

Why Have You Done a Good Thing?

Chili is the perfect winter dinner for so many reasons…

1. It’s hot- perfect to sooth your soul and keep you warm
2. It’s healthy- a plethora of vegetables and lean proteins, plus some heart-healthy EVOO, vitamins/minerals, and plenty of fiber
3. It’s quick & easy- just chop, and put in the pot
4. It’s cooking in bulk- 1 pot will last you for a while! Just put in individually wrapped zip-top containers and store in the freezer up to 3 months.

What can you put in chili?

Anything but the kitchen sink! This is the perfect opportunity to clean out your fridge: put all stray vegetables, beans, and ground meat in a pot and, woo-lah: you’ve made chili

I like to make turkey-bean-corn chili…check it out!

-1 lb Ground turkey meat (at least 94% lean)

-1 yellow onion

-2 peppers (any colors)

-1 Jalapeno pepper (be as daring with the seeds as you like!)

-A few celery stalks

-1 can of beans (black or kidney, rinsed)

-1 cup of corn (if using can- rinse, or frozen)

-1 large can crushed tomatoes- *I like San Marzano

-1 Bay leaf

-1-1.5 T chili powder

-1-1.5 T cumin

-Salt

-EVOO

-Low sodium chicken stock, 1.5-2 cups

Ok, so I know this looks like a lot, but don’t fret- it’s SO simple, I promise.

1. Heat some olive oil in a large pot over medium-high

2. Chop all the fresh veggies and add them to the pot, put in bay leaf and salt.

3. Add turkey meat and cook for a few minutes

4. Add spices, then tomatoes, then beans, corn, and chicken stock; stir.

5. Put lid on and simmer on low for at least 30 min up to 2 hours.

*Remove bay leaf before serving and add hot sauce as desired

Stay WARM while enjoying the CHILI!!!

--Samantha Jacobs, RD