take my word for it wednesday.. quick and easy chili is the ticket this halloween

when the kids were little i made chili on halloween every year.. it was quick, simple and delicious. the first year we spent halloween in boulder city i invited our neighbors over for chili before the girls went trick or treating.. (jake always went out on his own or stayed at the house and set up a haunted front entry way and scared the beegeebuz out of the trick or treaters.)  well i made my typical chili and had made a chili bar with tons of toppings like onions, cilantro, jalapenos, different kinds of cheese, avocado, sour cream, etc., and then on the side i had things like fritos, flour tortillas, corn bread, different kinds of crackers and honey butter.  well they both get their chili and sit down, with just chili and i said help yourself there is plenty load up your chili and they both looked at me like i was nuts (which over the years would become a very common look they gave me) but anyway the wife says we have never put anything on our chili.. then i looked at them like they were nuts.. i said nothing, just chili.. nope nothing.. augh please please try some of the topping you won't be disappointed.. so they did and guess what?? they loved it.. they each had 3 bowls because they tried different combinations.. the wife has since moved on but over the course of our 10 yr. friendship i introduced her to many spices she had never thought of using..i love it when i can do that or when  someone introduces me to something i never thought of..  so if your a plain jane kinda chili person.. switch it up.. add something fun!!

turkey chili

prep time: 10 minutes

cooking time: 30 - 60 minutes (depending on how much time you have)
servings:  4-6

ingredients:

1 lb ground turkey (or beef if you prefer)
2 ( 16 oz) cans chili ready or mexican style diced tomatoes
1 (16 oz) can of kidney beans
1 (16 oz) can of black beans (or pinto it's usually whatever i have in the pantry)
1 package of "hot" taco seasoning or make your own, if i don't already have some made up i will use the pre made package stuff in a pinch..
olive oil

toppings: (optional)

shredded cheese
diced onions
diced pickled jalapenos
chopped cilantro
chopped spicy olives
tobasco
sliced avocado

on the side: (optional)

crackers
flour tortillas
corn bread
fritos

a few turns around your large pot with the olive oil.. heat over a medium high and place turkey in pot and cook until evenly brown and crumbly.. add taco seasoning.. cook for about 2 -3 minutes.. add tomatoes and beans (don't drain them) bring to a boil.. reduce heat to low, cover and simmer for 30-60 minutes stirring often so it doesn't burn.. i then top with diced onions, shredded cheese, cilantro, sour cream, jalapenos and tobasco.  then i serve with the flour tortillas..

enjoy and get cook'n!!

happy halloween.. be safe..