Chili 101

Post body pump I always have one thing on my mind! FOOD. I went to HannaF’s (aka Hannafords) last night and stocked my cabinets and fridge with all the necessary ingredients to make Real Simple’s Turkey and Bean Chili tonight.


Ingredients:
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 onion, chopped
1 green bell pepper, chopped
2 cloves garlic, chopped
1/2 pound ground turkey (preferably dark meat)
2 tablespoon tomato paste
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon ground chipotle chili pepper or 2 teaspoons chili powder (I used the chili powder)
1 28-ounce can diced tomatoes
2 15-ounce cans kidney beans, rinsed
kosher salt and black pepper
1/4 cup reduced-fat sour cream
cilantro sprigs, for serving


I made a few changes, added a ½ tsp of red pepper flakes, ½ cup corn, 1 red bell pepper and a can of black beans (instead of using two cans kidney). Black beans deserve a spot in all chili recipes.

Instead of my usual vino, I sipped on a protein drink. This is new to me: I’m not this hard core. Strawberry whey protein powder mixed with water, while delicious and a great way to refuel after body pump, is not wine. However, it will hold me over while my chili cooks!

After a solid minute of wretched eye burning and tearing the goods were diced, opened and ready to hit the sauce pan. Why don’t I use my food processor!?



simmering...simmering...simmering...


Did you know: (Yes, I googled chili. Or as my Mutti would say, "put a google on" chili)

-Chili is not from Mexico?

-That at the Terlingua Cook-Off in Terlingua Texas, no chili with beans recipes are allows to compete?

-Last spring Matt's dad competed in a chili cook off at the Great Scott in Allston, MA and won the grand prize?

Now that's a man's chili! No worries this chili will make its way to the blog in the fall. It is reserved for special occasions, aka Patriots season.

Want to know my favorite part about chili? No not the smell, not the spice, not the texture, nor the taste: CHILI BREEDS LEFTOVERS. Lots and lots of leftovers

!
I added some cheddar cheese to mine and a dollop of daisy. Don't usually get down with sour cream but I wanted to see what it was all about (and we had some). Verdict: eh, chili doesn't need sour cream. Do you use it on your chili?

"The aroma of good chili should generate rapture akin to a lover's kiss."
Motto of the Chili Appreciation Society International

I didn't even know there was a Chili Appreciation Society. How do you join?

Time to watch LOST!

OH, I regret to inform you all that Flash Forward and Heroes have been cancelled. This news combined with the series finales of Lost and 24 just have my inner TV junkie sad! Good thing I had the savory smells of turkey, cumin, peppers, onions and garlic wafting in my direction all evening.