Dinner- Plan B.

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I wanted to start this blog off with a bang. So I decided to use a classic recipe that I have added to my repertoire recently.

WAISTLINE-FRIENDLY TURKEYCHILI
1 pound ground turkey
1/2 cup diced onion
1 clove garlic, minced
1/2 cup diced green bell pepper
1/2 cup diced red bell pepper
1 (14.5 ounce) can diced tomatoes
1 cup medium salsa
1 cup chipotle barbeque sauce
1 (4 ounce) can chopped green chilies
1 cup corn kernels
1 (15 ounce) can black beans, rinsed and drained
1 tablespoon lime juice
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 tablespoon crushed red pepper flakes
1 tablespoon chili powder
1 tablespoon dried cilantro
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup fat-free sour cream, for garnish

The first time I made this chili, I only had about half these ingredients. But figured I could make it up as I went along. You will come to learn quickly that I don’t give up on an intriguing recipe even if I don’t have the ingredients. I love to improvise and encourage you to do the same! But this time I around I had everything BUT the bell peppers. I figured I could make up for the volume some place else. Also I don’t think either time making this recipe I used ground turkey (so much for the waistline friendly). The first time I used ground meat and this time I used Italian sausage. Throw in whatever kind of meat you have in the freezer!

Step 1. Heat a large, nonstick pot over medium high heat and throw in the ground turkey, onion, garlic, green and red bell pepper. Cook until your meat is no longer pink, about 10 minutes.

I will try as often as possible to tell you approximate time for things. But with a 2 year old and a 1 year old, NO recipe will take me 30 minutes from start to finish. When you add up the kids wanting me, baba’s, snacks, getting out for a bit, crying….Well you get the picture.

Side note, I have never seen Rachel Ray cook one of her 30 minute meals with a child on her hip and one on the leg!

Step 2. Pour in the Tomatoes (I used a 28 ounce can, that’s where I made up with not having bell pepper), salsa, barbeque sauce, green chili’s, corn (We don’t use it because one of the 9 people I make dinner for, has an allergy) and black beans (any kind of bean will do, even garbanzo).

Step 3. Season with lime juice, cumin, red pepper flakes, chili powder, and cilantro.

That step is vital to making the recipe great for your family! I rarely use measuring spoons, when your cooking for 9 people you try to have less dishes to wash and save them wherever you can! Even something as small as a measuring spoon adds up! Also, half of us are big spice people and the other half (kids) not so much. So adjust accordingly for your family. I usually throw in a dash of chili powder and leave out the red pepper flakes.

Step 4. TASTE TASTE TASTE!!! When I tasted mine the tomatoes were a little overpowering, so I grabbed the BBQ sauce and gave the bottle 2 more squishes. MUCH BETTER.

Step 5. Bring to a simmer over medium-high heat, than reduce to heat to medium-low, cover and simmer until flavor develops. 1-3 hours. NOT A NECESSITY. I do not think after making this my family could ever wait another hour or THREE!! Usually gave it 20 minutes and served it up.

5 minutes before its done: I notice that this time around, for some reason, seems much less than last time. Not having the bell peppers effected the recipe more than I thought it would. So there I am staring at a half full pot of chili and everyone’s patience’s for dinner is running on low. Think think think,

Step 6. PLAN B I whip out some Yukon potatoes.

Plan B Step 1. Dice them up. (Skip the peeling! At a crucial time like this, they will all have to endure.) Dice as small and fast as you can. The smaller, the quicker they will cook.

Plan B Step 2. Throw them in a pot and let them boil.

Plan B Step 3. Canned Green Beans. Not much explanation needs to go into that one. (Always keep canned vegetables in your home. You never know when you will need them. I love fresh veggies as much as the next person, but they can’t be thrown into a bowl and served.)

Plan B Step 4. Drain potatoes, mash and throw in butter, sour cream and milk. Anyone of those ingredients can be left out, if need be, just overdo it on another ingredient, if you have to leave one out.

And VIOLA, Waistline Friendly Chili poured over mashed potatoes with a side of green beans!