summer turkey chili...

chili is not something i have ever made in the summer or something i even think about making in the summer.. it's kinda like you don't wear white after labor day.. (which i strictly adhere too..) so it would stand to reason, chili, the dish i make on halloween or when camping on new years doesn't get made during the summer, (probably because it's been known to get into the 120's here to hot for chili) i'ma a rule breaker but this is something that isn't done.. well until now.. you see i was driving home the other night and was deciding what to make.. usually i have my meals planned but now that it's boating season all my meal planning, regular shopping, being organized (yeah right like i am ever organized) goes out the proverbial window.. it's lake time people i can't be bothered with the mound of laundry piling up on my couch, the kaotic meals that are made in frantic panic mode.. it is what it is.. we are used to it during the summer.. okay so now back to driving home.. i had taken out some ground turkey and chili was the first thing that came to mind, which i quickly dismissed as an act of pure lunacy.. but then i kept thinking about it and since my daily drive home is anywhere between 40-60 minutes that's a lot of thinking..i finally gave in and embraced my inner rebel and decided i would make chili in the SUMMER.. (covering head from lightening about to strike) but i thought Ah hah if i make summer chili i am not breaking any rules!! so what is summer chili you might ask?? well, i will tell you, it's the chili i made the other night is what it is..i only had one can of kidney beans.. well that's ok this summer chili shouldn't have 2 anyway.. so instead i added a can of corn.. then i realized i didn't have chili powder.. which is ok.. why????????? because it's summer chili so i pretty much used anything i could find in my cabinet spice wise.. which worked out well because our last trip to san diego there is a spicy store in sea port village and i got some cool (or rather hot) spices..i only had italian stewed tomatoes and even with it being summer chili i didn't think that would go so i used tomato sauce.. well it seemed a little boring so i added bbq sauce, beer and worcestershire sauce.. let me tell you it was freakin good!!! like really good.. like i might make it again next week good.. but i am declaring it summer chili and can only be made from june to september.. make some, if your a rule breaker like me, and i bet you won't be dissapointed..

summer chili

prep time: 15 minutes
cooking time: 1 hour
servings: 6-8

ingredients:

2 lbs. ground turkey
1 small onion, diced
1 green or red bell pepper, diced
1 can of kidney beans
1 can of whole kernal corn, drained
1 can of tomato sauce
1 cup bbq sauce
1/2 can of beer
1 tblsp. worcestershire sauce
olive oil
2 tsp. garlic powder
2 tsp. ancho chili powder
2 tsp. new mexican chili powder (it's what i had but i think regular chili powder for all the different kinds of chili powder i used would be fine)
2 tsp. chipolte chili powder
2 tsp. cayenne pepper
salt and pepper
shredded cheddar cheese
low fat sour cream
cilantro for garnish

two twirls around a large size "chili" pot with olive oil.. brown your turkey over medium heat.. before it's totally brown add your onions and peppers.. cook until meat is cooked through and veggies are tender..  then add your kidney beans, corn, tomato sauce, bbq sauce, beer, and worcestershire sauce.. make sure everything is well incorporated.. then add all your spices.. again make sure everything is well incorporated.. cook for about 15 minutes over medium heat then drop to a simmer and continue cooking.. taste and check your spice level.. i had used honey bbq (it's what i had) and it made a little too sweet so i amped up the spicy spice.. so check yours and see if you need to add more spice.. let simmer for about 1/2 an hour.. (let those flavors marry so to speak) and then serve with a little shredded cheese, a dollop of low fat sour cream and sprinkle of cilantro.. i served it with the life balance low calorie flour tortillas.. seriously good food people!!

and I got a little treat i found out my no bake s'more casserole/ice box cake, recipe found here.. was a featured recipe on this site here.. you really should check it out, she has so many great recipes linked to that page.. its awesome!! how fun!