As you are reading this post I am likely up in the air or settling in Virgina depending on how keen you are to pick up a new zesty post.  I am spending the week in VA this week for work and I am hoping the weather is nice!  I have some writing and posting to catch up on while away, so I will try to use the airplane to my advantage as well as the hotel room to get some writing done.

When you think chili – you think comfort, warm, wholesome and a hell of a long process to get there before you can eat it.  Well I guess I will try and change your mind if that is the way you think about chili.  Today I thought I would share with you a super simple Turkey Chili – that is good for you and pretty much dead easy to prepare.

Ingredients

• 1 Sweet onion (chopped)
• 3 Celery stalks (chopped)
• 1 Cup mushrooms ( button)
• 1 lb. Lean ground turkey
• 3 Cloves garlic (chopped)
• 1 Large can crushed tomatoes
• 1 Can kidney beans ( do not drain)
• 1 Tsp. Salt
• 1/2 Tsp. Crushed red pepper flakes
• 1 Tbsp. olive oil
• 1/2 Tsp. cumin
• 1 /2 Tsp. chili powder

Method

1. Pour oil into large saucepan. Turn heat to medium and heat oil for 1 minute.



2. Add onions to hot oil. Cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally with wooden spoon, for 5 minutes, or until onion is almost clear.



3. Add celery and mushrooms and continue cooking for another 5 minutes.





4. Stir in garlic, chili powder, red pepper flakes, and cumin until well combined.
5. Add ground turkey to pot. Stir with a wooden spoon, breaking up large pieces. Brown turkey for 5 minutes, stirring often.





6. Toss in the can of tomatoes once the turkey is no longer pink and stir well.



7. Dump in the can of kidney beans – stir to mix and cover the lid over low heat and let simmer. ( about 15 minutes )



8. Remove lid and check seasoning; modify accordingly.



9. Serve with crusty bread, or some homemade biscuits.



10. ENJOY!

Zesty Tip: Remember that ground turkey by itself is super bland.  It does absorb flavor quite well so do not skimp on the seasonings that you wish to bring to this particular chili dish.

Let’s say Happy Monday!  I hope you have a great week and I will be in tune with what is happening from the south.  Talk to you all on Wednesday with hopefully another fun and exciting post.  It may not be all about food but you never know.

Take care

zesty

Happy Friday!  With Thanksgiving fast approaching in the US (I forgot to do this post for the Canadian Thanksgiving), I thought this would be a great time to quickly go through my favorite eats at Thanksgiving.

First off I will start with saying that it was really hard to limit this post to 5 items because I truly love everything about thanksgiving.  But here goes:

1. Turkey

This really does have to be one of my favorite meats to eat. I love turkey with all the fixings and even in sandwiches, soups and casseroles.

2.  Fig and Maple Brussel Sprouts

Recently introduced to me this year, this dish was a knockout! I mean the combination of flavors and textures were over the moon.

3. Homemade Cranberry Sauce

A classic yet one of my favorite side dishes with turkey. You can find out how to make this easy delicious dish.

4. Turkey Dressing/Stuffing

A true family favorite for sure.  You have to be quick to this bowl to ensure you get some.  A little turkey, a little dressing and a touch of cranberry.  What a bite!  This is also great on a turkey sandwich.  Not the most healthy of choices but… can you really worry about that around this time of year?

5. Sticky Date Pudding

I great dessert after a big dinner. I love the combination of warm caramel sauce coupled with the cool ice cream sitting a top a super moist cake. I sometimes classify this as heaven! This sticky date pudding is delicious.

Now Tell Me Yours!

This is where I want everyone that reads this post to come out of the wood work and mention at least one of your favorite foods around Thanksgiving. I think it will be fun and I just realized that I left my favorite sweet potato dish out of the top 5. Very shocking but that just goes to show how much I like food! Ok I better run to the flooring store and pick out grout. I will talk to you on Monday. Have a great weekend.

I am doing a big food demonstration tomorrow morning for a large group of people so I will be sure to let you know how it goes. The topic I am focusing on is – Not so traditional Christmas foods and ways to prepare them.

Talk to you Monday.

Take care

zesty