Red Turkey Chili

When it's cold and snowy outside, my brain automatically thinks: chili! I have tried many recipes, this one is the simpliest but the most flavorful. I make it with ground turkey but you can substitute ground beef if you prefer. I just like the taste of white meat better and it is leaner. That way I save on calories and fat and I can indulge in those delicious mini cheddar scones I was telling you about earlier!

The secret ingredients in this recipe are coffee and beer! You will not taste either but they will add depth and enhance all the other flavors.

The key ingredient is the Terlingua Red spice mix from Hard Times Cafe. It contains chili pepper, cayenne pepper, cumin, garlic powder, onion powder and salt. You can buy it at any Hard Times Cafe location, if you are lucky to have one near you, or order online. If that's not an option, just use any regular chili powder blend.

Feel free to let the chili simmer a little longer. Serve it as is or add your favorite topping(s): shredded cheddar, diced onion, tomato or avocado, chopped jalapenos, or even sour cream. Yummy!

About 6 servings

• 1 tablespoon olive oil / 1 cuillère à soupe d'huile d'olive
• 2 cups chopped onion / 300 g d'oignons hachés
• 4 garlic cloves, minced / 4 gousses d'ail, hachées
• 1 pound ground turkey breast / 450-500 g de dinde hachée
• 1 1/2 cups water / 350 ml d'eau
• 2 tablespoons Terlingua Red spice mix or chili powder / 2 cuillères à soupe de chili en poudre
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper / une pincée de poivre
• 1 can (about 15 oz.) kidney beans, drained and rinsed / 1 boite (425 g net ou 280 g égoutté) de haricots rouges, égouttés et rinsés à l'eau claire
• 1 can (about 15 oz.) small red beans, drained and rinsed / 1 boite (425 g net ou 280 g égoutté) de petits haricots rouges, égouttés et rinsés à l'eau claire
• 1 can (about 15 oz.) tomato sauce / 450 ml de coulis de tomate
• 1 can (about 15 oz.) diced tomatoes, undrained / 1 boite (425 g) de tomates pelées et découpées en petits dés – ne pas égoutter
• 3/4 cup light beer / 175 ml de bière légère
• 1/3 cup hot brewed coffee / 80 ml de café fraîchement passé

Heat oil in a large enameled cast-iron pot over medium-high heat. Add chopped onion and garlic; sauté 3 minutes. Add ground turkey; cook 6 minutes, stirring to crumble. Stir in water, spice mix/chili powder, black pepper, beans, tomato sauce and diced tomatoes, and bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, 45 minutes, stirring occasionally. Stir in beer and coffee; simmer 15 minutes, stirring occasionally. Enjoy!