I love to cook and I love to eat good food.  Alas, the fact that I work 9-5 means that I can't do either as much as I would like, and like many I am often stuck at my desk during my lunch "hour".  My solution is to try to bring my lunch to work as much as I can.  This is my collection of recipes, all made quickly the night before (either as lunch or as dinner with leftovers that can be taken in).  Happy eating.

Wednesday 17 March 2010

Chilly day Chili


Did anyone else experience the apocalyptic weather known as the nor'easter that blew in on Saturday? I had to go outside to go to work (boo hiss) and do some errands. Far from being productive, I spent most of the day huddling in doorways, afraid to step into the gale. More than once I did the full revolution in the revolving doors, convinced when I began to leave that it wasn't as bad as it looked, got a little taste of the wind and rain as I got to the 180 degree mark, and kept going right around back inside where it was safe and dry. The mangled bodies of umbrellas littered the streets. People greeted each other like survivors of some team-building ropes course that really didn't look that bad when they started out but quickly showed them they were not the boss. I made the mistake of trying to go into my building through the back entrance, which I had forgotten is a wind tunnel on the best of days. I kid you not when I say I was thrown from wall to wall and pinned against the gate until I could get it open.

So I ordered delivery for dinner.

But that's not what this is about. This post is about chili, which is what I would have made on that Saturday evening had I had the faintest inclination to leave the safety of my apartment again. Mmmm... chili. It really is one of my favorite dishes. I sometimes make variations on it -- anything with beans, tomatoes, chili and cumin will do -- but this recipe is my master recipe. Another one handed down from parent to child, both my brother and I left home with a copy in our hot little hands. I remember my brother visiting from college when I was living in my first apartment and had barely started to cook. We made chili. (And buttermilk cake.)

Chili

olive oil
2 lbs. ground turkey
1 14-16 oz. can whole tomatoes
1 8 oz. can tomato sauce
1 C. chopped onion
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 cans drained pinto beans
1 can drained kidney beans
1 C. water
1 T. chili powder
1/2 tsp. cumin
1 tsp. salt

Brown turkey, onion and garlic in olive oil in a dutch oven or other large pot. Once turkey is browned and onion is soft, chop tomatoes and add them to the pot along with their juice. Add tomato sauce, water, spices, kidney beans. Set aside 1 C. pinto beans, add remainder.

Bring to a boil, simmer 30-35 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add water if the chili dries out.

Mash reserved beans and add to the pot, mixing well. Simmer 5 more minutes until chili comes together.

Serve with sour cream, cornbread, or just enjoy straight up.


7 comments:

~~louise~~ said...

I just talked to my sister for the first time today since that horrific weather. She said it was just terrible and so many people are still without LIPA. (don't even start me on them:)

Anyway, your chili sounds perfect for blustery weather. Hopefully, the sun is shining today.

Thank you so much for sharing...when I worked, I use to make hot dishes in the crock pot the night before and bag it in the morning...I'm happily retired thank goodness:)

Chef E said...

Well we went from snowageddan to hurricane wind and rain to the most beautiful two days, so who knows what will come tomorrow- but I will take that chili any day!

Astra Libris said...

Family recipes are the greatest! Your trip to your back entrance sounds very scary - I'm glad you eventually made it safely! Your chili looks amazing and absolutely perfect for this blast of cold weather = it was frightful on Saturday down south too, and is still cold, rainy, and windy! I hope it warms up for both of us soon! :-)

teresa said...

mmmm, i do love a nice warm chili, delicious!

Reeni said...

Your so brave for going out in that! Chili is super comfort food. This looks very hearty and tasty!

Dee said...

Looks delicious! Sorry your weather has been crazy! Seems weather has been wild everywhere recently. Nice post & great blog.

Cool Lassi(e) said...

The Chili looks fabulous! Love to have that bowl to myself!
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