Chili. The word conjures up all kinds of thoughts in your head. For some it’s about spice, some folks wont even consider it chili if it doesn’t have a kick to it. Others say it’s all about the flavor of the chili itself. For me, it’s about The Simpsons. And the awesome chili episode, where Homer eats a super spicy chili pepper and loses his mind in the process.
But in all seriousness, chili is a great meal that is great anytime of year, but especially in the winter time when it’s cold. The word chili comes from the Nahuatl word for chili peppers. The origin of the dish itself comes from the southwest back in the 1800s where they would take dried meat, dried chilli peppers, fat, and salt were grounded together formed into a block and set outside to dry in the hot southwestern sun. The brick would then be taken on the road by ranchers and cowboys to set in a pot to cook for later. So yeah this is not that. That sounds like some sort of spicy death wish, but luckily chili has come a long way since then.
This variety of chili that I’m making uses turkey instead of ground chuck. I did that here because turkey is healthier than ground beef. The turkey filets add a different element to the chili that I think sort of elevates it to a higher end in some ways.
Enjoy!
Recipe
Ingredients
1 Pound of Turkey Filets
2 Cups of Chicken Broth
1 Can of Red Kidney Beans or 1 Cup of Dried Red Kidney Beans
1 Jar of Whole Foods Chipotle Salsa
1 Green Bell Pepper, diced
1/2 Tbsp. Cumin
1 Tbsp. Garlic Powder
2 tsp. Smoked Paprika
2 Tsp. Chili Powder
1 Cup of Diced White Onion
4 Cloves of Garlic Crushed
1/2 tsp. Cinnamon
1 Tbp. Salt
2 Tbsp. Butter
Method
Cook your kidney beans ahead of time if you are using dried beans, set aside when cooked.
In a large pot, add your butter. As it foams, then add your onions and garlic. As they brown, then add half of all your seasonings/spices.
Then add your turkey filets, brown them on each side. Add the rest of your seasoning. Stir together and then add your diced green peppers and chicken broth.
As the chili cooks, add your jar of salsa. Cook for another hour and then add your beans. Cook for another hour, taste your chili and season to your liking. You want your turkey filets to be very tender, to the point of where they fall apart.
- 1 Pound of Turkey Filets
- 2 Cups of Chicken Broth
- 1 Can of Red Kidney Beans or 1 Cup of Dried Red Kidney Beans
- 1 Jar of Whole Foods Chipotle Salsa
- 1 Green Bell Pepper, diced
- 1/2 Tbsp. Cumin
- 1 Tbsp. Garlic Powder
- 2 tsp. Smoked Paprika
- 2 Tsp. Chili Powder
- 1 Cup of Diced White Onion
- 4 Cloves of Garlic Crushed
- 1/2 tsp. Cinnamon
- 1 Tbp. Salt
- 2 Tbsp. Butter
- Cook your kidney beans ahead of time if you are using dried beans, set aside when cooked.
- In a large pot, add your butter. As it foams, then add your onions and garlic. As they brown, then add half of all your seasonings/spices.
- Then add your turkey filets, brown them on each side. Add the rest of your seasoning. Stir together and then add your diced green peppers and chicken broth.
- As the chili cooks, add your jar of salsa. Cook for another hour and then add your beans. Cook for another hour, taste your chili and season to your liking. You want your turkey filets to be very tender, to the point of where they fall apart.
