The Perfect Winter Meal: Chili

Who doesn't love chili?  Chili is especially great when it is cold outside, and you need a meal to warm you from the inside.  However, chili is a perfect dinner for any night!  Loaded with beans, meat, and diced tomatoes, it is the perfect combination to fill you up.

Ingredients:

• 1 pound ground turkey
• 1/4 cup salsa
• 1 teaspoon chili powder
• 1/2 teaspoon cumin
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 medium pureed onion
• 1/2 pureed green pepper
• 1/2 pureed red pepper
• 1 tablespoon chili powder
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon cumin
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 1 can dark red kidney beans
• 1 can  pinto beans
• 1 can chili beans (I use bush's)
• 1 can diced tomatoes 
• cheese (to top if desired)

Steps:

Cook the ground turkey in large skillet until brown.

Add the onion, green pepper, red pepper, chili powder, sugar, cumin, salt and the minced garlic to a blender and puree them all together.

While the meat is browning, add the kidney beans, pinto beans, chili beans, diced tomatoes, and the onion and pepper mixture to the slow cooker.

When the ground turkey is browned, add it to the slow cooker.

Make sure to mix the uncooked chili thoroughly.

Place the lid on the top, and set your slow cooker to the low setting.

Let chili cook for 4-5 hours on low or 2-3 hours on high.  

Top with shredded cheese, and maybe a little plain greek yogurt (sour cream.)  Serve with corn chips or buttery crackers.

Chili is a huge player in my menu.  I make it at least once a month, and it is always satisfying.  I use the left overs to make chili tacos, by filling warm corn or flour tortillas with delicious chili, top with cheese, and yum!