a simple recipe :: sweet & spicy turkey chili

Comfort food. Sometimes you just gotta have a favorite food from childhood, even when you know it might not be one of your husband’s favorites… Last night I was in one of those moods. Said comfort food: chili. My husband and I have been married for nearly 11 years, and he has always been very clear that he strongly dislikes hates chili. We’ll blame it on an irrational pregnancy moment, but the truth is, I knew I was putting my neck on the line when I prepared chili for dinner.  As I was planning this chili recipe, I did however consider some elements my better half likes. It had to have a couple things if it was going to have the slightest chance of him taking even the smallest bite…sweet…spicy…and turkey instead of beef. Done.

Much to my shock and awe, the stars aligned, the heavens open, the angels sang, and hubby took a bite! Then, my jaw hit the floor when he asked for a bowl of chili on the spot…then a second…and finally, he requested leftovers for his lunch! What?!! There’s a solid chance that the man I love has been abducted by aliens, but I’ll deal with that reality another day. In the mean time, I’m quite happy to live with the fact that dinner time was a win by his standards, and I have another recipe to add to the menu.

This recipe is pretty basic, and can be whipped up in very little time, with common ingredients you probably already have in your pantry.

Ingredients:

• 2 Tbsp olive oil
• 2 cloves garlic
• 1 medium onion, finely chopped
• 1 lb ground turkey
• 2 Tbsp chili powder
• 1/2 Tbsp cumin
• 1/2 Tbsp oregano
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 Tbsp ground black pepper
• 1 Tbsp sugar
• 1 – 10.75 oz can of tomato soup, plus 1 can water
• 2 – 6 oz cans of tomato paste
• 3 cups hot water
• 2 – 10 oz cans of diced tomatoes with green chilies
• 1 – 15.5 oz can of light red kidney beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 – 24 oz jar of northern beans, drained and rinsed

Heat olive oil in a large soup pot. Add onion and garlic. Cook until onion is soft. Remove from heat.

Meanwhile, brown turkey in a separate pan.

Add chili powder, cumin, oregano, salt, pepper and sugar to garlic/onion mixture.

Over medium high heat, add tomato soup plus can of water, tomato paste, and 3 cups of hot water to soup pot. Whisk mixture until tomato paste is smooth and well blended.

Finally, add diced tomatoes, kidney beans, northern beans, and ground turkey. Simmer over medium heat for approximately 30 minutes.

Top with cheddar cheese and sour cream if desired. Enjoy!

What is your favorite comfort food? Is there something you prepare even though you know there’s someone in your family who doesn’t like it, or do you try to please everyone at every meal?