Hearty Turkey Chili

Serves : 8
 

Ingredients:

  • 2 tablespoons canola oil
  • 2 pounds boneless turkey breast, cut into half-inch cubes
  • 12 ounces sweet Italian sausage, casings removed
  • 1 medium onion, coarsely chopped
  • 2 jalapeno chiles, diced (remove ribs and seeds for milder chili)
  • 2 tablespoons chili powder
  • 2 teaspoons ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1 (28 ounce) can whole, peeled tomatoes
  • 1 tablespoon yellow cornmeal
  • 1 whole cinnamon stick
  • 3 dried bay leaves
  • 1 (15 ounce) can kidney beans, drained and rinsed
  • 1 cup sour cream (optional)

Instructions:

Heat oil in a large Dutch oven over high heat. Brown the turkey pieces until they are no longer pink inside. Remove turkey with a slotted spoon and set aside.

Crumble the sausage into small pieces in the Dutch oven. Add the onion and jalapenos, stirring frequently until the sausage and onions are browned (about 5 minutes).

Return the turkey to the pot. Stir in the chili powder, cumin, oregano, tomatoes (with their juice), cornmeal, cinnamon, bay leaves, and 2 cups water. Bring to a boil, reduce to a simmer. Cook until the turkey breaks apart easily with a spoon, 1 - 2 hours.

Taste and adjust seasonings with a little bit of salt, if necessary.

Stir in the beans, cook until heated through, about 5 minutes. Discard cinnamon and bay leaves.

Serve immediately, garnishing each bowl with a dollop of sour cream, if desired.