Introduction: Turkey Chili

Great pot of food for guests!  For more recipes, visit my blog, Week of Menus.

Step 1: Ingredients

2.5 lbs ground turkey
2 onions diced
3 red, orange or yellow bell peppers - diced
6 carrots diced
10 cloves garlic - minced or forced through garlic press
olive oil
8 oz sausage of your choice - I usually use some gourmet chicken apple something or other
1/2  cup chili powder (but you may use more or less depending on your tastes buds)
2 T ancho chili powder (optional - I've just been playing around with different kind of chilis - you can just use chili powder)
2 t or more of cayenne chili powder (this is the spice - so if you don't want heat, use sparingly)
3 T oregano
Salt
2 T honey
1 can or bottle of beer - any kind is fine
Two 14.5 oz cans of diced tomatoes with their juices
Two 15 oz cans of black beans (I like to use low sodium) rinsed and drained


Step 2: Method

Heat a large pot over medium high heat. Add olive oil and put in all the ground turkey. Add onions and break up the turkey with the onions. Add carrots. Add chili powder, oregano and some salt here. It is important to season at this stage and not at the end - otherwise the food just tastes SALTY and not well seasoned. Keep cooking until the turkey is cooked through. Add all the bell peppers and the garlic and cook for 2 minutes. Add entire can of beer. There will be some liquid forming at the bottom - that's okay. Allow all the beer and liquids to simmer together 10 minutes.


Step 3:

Add all of your tomatoes. Stir. Add sausages and honey. Test seasonings. Add salt if necessary. Finally, add beans. Allow the flavors to meld - simmer over low heat for 20 minutes. Check again and adjust seasonings - feel free to add more chili powder if you want more OOMPH.


Step 4: Serving Ideas

Serve with a variety of topping options: sour cream, cheddar cheese, chopped raw oniion, chopped cilantro, diced avocado