Tag Archives: chili

Sloppy Turkey and Chili Joes

I had a nice long 4-day weekend this weekend and I didn’t do much but read, relax and sleep. No, I wasn’t at the beach, or the lake, or the park, or the pool. I was home. I found myself going to Target two or three times just because I was bored and wanted someone to talk to. See, here in the Philadelphia area, people disappear in the summer. People either have a shore house or know someone who does. Or people go on their summer vacation, something I’ve been used to since growing up in Illinois (my birthday is in July and friends were always on vacation). Going into the weekend, I took a deep breath and resigned myself to the fact that I’d be riding solo all weekend. My only plans were to read and eat a turkey burger. Done and done. But once that was accomplished, I got bored again. So I started cooking these Sloppy Turkey and Chili Joes.

Ground turkey is cooked with onion and poblano pepper (one of my faves) until meat is browned and veggies are softened. Next, canned tomato sauce, a little brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce, chili powder, and garlic powder are added and brought to a simmer. This is such a quick and simple sloppy joe recipe that I honestly think this is my new go-to. It doesn’t require a slow-cooker or an electric skillet (what my mom used make her sloppy joes in) or a bunch of ingredients. The poblano pepper gives it a subtle bit of heat without it being too much (you can use green pepper here if you prefer) and the brown sugar gives it a mild sweetness that I like from my sloppy joes. These are messy, just the way you want them to be, so keep a lot of napkins on hand. I liked this so much that I might make another batch and eat it on some baby spinach or roasted veggies. It’s just as good when eaten with a fork.

If you like this, also check out Sweet Chili Rolls.

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In a large nonstick skillet cook ground turkey, onion, and poblano pepper until turkey is no longer pink, stirring to break up turkey as it cooks.

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Stir in tomato sauce, brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce, chili powder, and garlic powder. Bring to boiling; reduce heat. Cover and simmer for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally. Season to taste with salt and black pepper.

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Place bun bottoms on serving plates; add cheese slices. Top each with turkey mixture. If desired, top with basil leaves. Add bun tops.

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Additions:  None

Omissions:

  • Monterey Jack cheese

Substitutions: None

Overall Rating: Love It

Source: Better Homes & Gardens magazine

Black and White Chicken Chili

August can be strange because it’s still beach weather but with the school supply commercials and preseason football on the television and cooler-weather clothes in the stores, it can tease your mind into thinking it’s already fall outside.  Just the sound of the whistles blowing during a football game sends me to the kitchen with the urge to make chili.  But since it’s still hot outside, I didn’t want to spend a lot of time standing over the stove.  This Black and White Chicken Chili couldn’t have been any easier or any faster to make.

Navy beans, black beans and salsa verde are warmed together before adding in chicken (I used precooked rotisserie chicken which saved TONS of time!).  That’s it!  Obviously you can add in any vegetables or spices you want (just taste it first).  Once it’s all warmed through, I topped the bowl with feta cheese, lime juice and scallions.  Talk about simple.  The whole time I thought there weren’t enough ingredients for this to be a flavorful chili but it really was.  I did add a teaspoon of cumin and some black pepper which added a little spice but I completely underestimated the flavor of the green salsa in this.  It is spicy, salty and everything you want in an everyday chili.  Since I used precooked chicken, this whole dish took about ten minutes to make.  If you want a quick chili that can be made in a flash, try this.

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The ingredients:

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Drain and rinse the beans. In large saucepan, mix beans with salsa, chicken and 1/2 cup water (or if using precooked chicken, omit the chicken in this step).

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Bring to a simmer and cook, stirring often, about 8 minutes. Remove chicken; shred and stir into chili (or add precooked chicken, if using).

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Serve chili with toppings and lime wedges.

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Additions:

  • Cumin
  • Black pepper

Omissions:  None

Substitutions:

  • Reduced-fat feta cheese
  • Scallions

Overall Rating:  Love It

Source:  Everyday with Rachael Ray magazine

Two-Bean Harvest Chili

Growing up, I always heard that you should eat ham and beans for New’s Years Day because it meant good luck.  But I don’t eat ham (well, maybe I do, that’s a story for another day) so I’m relying on beans to work their magic today.  After all, after the last year I’ve had, I could use all the luck in the world.  Beans are lucky, so they say, because they resemble coins and therefore promote fortune and wealth.  Similarly, cooked greens are also considered good luck because they resemble folded money.  Chicken, which I eat a ton of, is what you are not supposed to eat because they scratch backwards and can promote regret or dwelling on the past.  Who knew?  Luckily, this vegetarian Two-Bean Harvest Chili is full of beans and collard greens so it should be a perfect New Year’s Day good luck meal.

Black beans and pinto beans provide hearty comfort to this chili while fire-roasted tomatoes give a rich smoky flavor that permeates every bite.  Carrots, onion, and collard greens add some fresh bulk making this a satisfying and healthy meal to start to the New Year.  Rather than using one 28-ounce can of fire-roasted tomatoes, I used one 14-ounce can mixed with one 14-ounce can of plain diced tomatoes.  Fire-roasted pack a ton of flavor but a little goes a long way.  Collard greens, which are slightly bitter but can easily withstand heat without wilting too much, can easily be substituted with kale, escarole or spinach (just don’t leave it out – cooked greens are good luck!)  Whether you believe in tales of good luck and fortune or not, I hope the coming year treats you well and I wish each and every one of you a very happy and healthy New Year!  Now, show me the money!

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The ingredients:

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In a large pot, heat oil on medium heat.  Add onion, carrots, garlic,  and 1/4 teaspoon salt.  Cook 8 to 10 minutes or until golden and tender, stirring  occasionally.

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Add collard greens and 1/4 teaspoon salt and cook 1 to 2 minutes or until bright green and just tender, stirring.

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Stir in chili powder, cumin, and oregano and cook 1 minute, stirring.

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Stir in tomatoes and beans.  Simmer 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.

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Divide among 4 bowls; top with sour cream or plain yogurt.

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Additions:

  • Reduced-fat shredded cheddar cheese (topping)

Omissions:  None

Substitutions:

  • Fat-free plain Greek yogurt

Overall Rating:  Love It

Source:  Good Housekeeping Magazine

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