So I could have taken pictures and talked to you about my project today.....but I kind of forgot I had a blog. There are so many people with "food blogs" that I blocked this out. But i"m back and this is what I made today. Its not fancy, but it's got most of the food groups. (Side note: Do they still teach food groups in school? Or do they tell you never to eat bread because you don't want to be the heftiest in your 2nd grade class?)
Speaking of wide load....
The 4 people who read this all know me. I'm often attempting to lose the same 20-30 pounds over and over and over. But this season, I'm in a downward swing. Something you can read about here: http://thesaucybits.com/2011/02/something-new-the-sauce-toss
I believe every meal is an opportunity for greatness. However, in the last 4 days, I've been eating like I want to be a great in terms of mass. Mushroom Ravioli in Truffle Cream Sauce, Onion Rings, Cheese Glorious Cheese and all kinds of crap. So I thought I'd make dinner for a change so maybe my husband won't divorce me. And this is the genius, I came up with:
I mashed two recipes I found together for optimal taste and so I might eat more veggies and because I will take my own life if I make fish tacos one more time. I'm expecting this to be like comfort food, but not as food because there's no real fat in it. And fattening food, like fat people are comforting.
Also, this recipe needs more more heat, but I live with a man who totally fooled me into marrying him before he announced that he doesn't like cumin, Serrano, or "very spicy food." But the bastard still takes me out for Thai or any other kind of spicy type food, so maybe he just doesn't like MY spicy food which is ok as I have the spice tolerance allotted all four members of my nuclear family.
I think there are 4-6 servings below.
1 pound lean ground turkey
2 cups chopped onions
1.5 tablespoons ground cumin (you could add more if you didnt live with a giant baby)
1.5 tablespoons chili powder (see above)
1 tablespoon fresh minced garlic
1 tablespoon chopped canned chipotle chilies in adobo sauce* (I skipped it all together, but will add random ingredients to my bowl)
1 1/2 cups low sodium chicken broth
1 can of Black Beans (15.5 oz, drained)
1 can of diced tomatoes (drained with 1/2 cup reserved), I also use the whole ones and chop them up
2 bell peppers - chopped (I don't see color, I just see peppers as I'm not a vegetable racist. For the sake of this recipe, I'll tell you I used red and orange, but color doesn't matter)
Saute Bell Peppers in 1TSP Olive OIl.
Sauté turkey and 2 cups chopped onions in large Dutch oven over high heat until turkey is cooked through, stirring often and breaking up meat with back of spoon, about 10 minutes.
Add cumin, chili powder, and chipotle chilies; sauté 3 minutes. Unless you're me and then sprinkle the spices in and taste 26 times because you live in fear of disappointing people.
Add Beans and Tomatoes. I put in 1/2 cup the tomato juice. But you dont have too. If you do, only use one cup of chicken stock.
Mix in 1 1/2 cups stock and bring to a boil.
Reduce heat to medium-low. Cover partially and cook 1 hours, adding more stock by 1/4 cupfuls if chili becomes dry. I thought my chili still look soupy so I continued to cook it for an additional 30 minutes.
Season with salt and pepper. And more chili pepper or even smoked paprika if no one is looking.
Can be made 1 day ahead if you're a total over achiever or if you're getting a manicure and don't want to ruin your nails again chopping shit and cleaning pots and pans. I get that. And these things often taste better the next day.
Because I like cheese to be represented in every meal, I will add:
Grated cheddar cheese
Sour cream
Additional chopped onion
I hope to someday make a version of this that's JUST ground beef and onions and heat and cheese. But until then, I'll add beans for fiber and peppers for nutrition and shit. It's probably a bit ballsy to post a recipe I haven't even sampled yet, but just think how fun it will be to write about my food poisoning if it didnt turn out. AND all the people who read this entry and never return to see how it was will be punished with explosive diarrhea -- and nothing is more rewarding than knowing you gave deserving people the stomach punishment.
