Wednesday, January 19, 2011

Quick Spicy Turkey Chili Flavored With Smoky Chipotle Chilies


In an effort to eat healthier I’ve been on the lookout for low calorie meals. Because we’re in the middle of gutting a condo down to the bare walls and dust and dirt is everywhere (this is why I'm not out and about as much lately as I'd like), when we get back home we’re tired and need a favorable meal that I can get on the table in a flash.

I found a recipe for spicy turkey chili in Cooking Light’s 5 Ingredients 15 Minute Recipes that I thought would fit the bill. I know you’re saying to yourself that you can’t make a good pot of chili in fifteen minutes. Well, I beg to differ. This is a very simple and hearty chili with plenty of flavor and guaranteed to satisfy even the most sadistic spicy food lover. As a food columnist, I’ve been invited to judge chili cooking contests and while this recipe might not win first prize, with its smoky spicy flavor of the chipotles it could easily come in a close second.

However, I must confess that our previous experience with ground turkey hasn’t always been a happy one. The first time we used very lean ground turkey we found it tough and tasteless. When we switched to 93% lean, that made all of the difference in the world with regard to taste and texture, so that’s what I’ve used in this dish.

I like to keep a jar of chopped chipotles in adobo sauce in my refrigerator to use when I want a little spice and smokiness in a dish. To chop the chipotles, remove them, along with their sauce, to the bowl of a food processor and chop until well blended. They’ll keep almost indefinitely in an airtight glass jar in the refrigerator and a little tiny spoonful of the chopped chipotles give a dish a bit of zest.

Add a made from scratch margarita and you’re good to go. Speaking of margaritas, count on the Barefoot Contessa to make the best margaritas you’ve ever tasted. Ina uses fresh limes and lemons and I promise that you’ll never, ever use a mix again.

Spicy, rich chili and a real margarita in 15 minutes.  How easy is that?


Quick Spicy Turkey Chili Flavored With Smoky Chipotle Chilies 
Adapted from Cooking Light 5 Ingredients 15 Minute Recipes

1 tablespoon canola oil
1 pound 93% ground turkey
A large poblano pepper, seeded and finely chopped
½ teaspoon chili powder
Kosher salt
2 cups water
½ teaspoon chopped chipotle in adobo sauce
1 (16 ounce) can of pinto beans, rinsed and drained
1 (16 ounce) can of black beans, rinsed and drained
1 (16 ounce) jar of mild salsa
Shredded cheddar cheese (optional)
For garnish: sliced jalapeno peppers, grape tomato halves, chopped red onion, chopped scallions including some of the light green tops, & a slice of lime

Heat the oil in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat. Crumble turkey meat and add to saucepan with the chopped poblano pepper. Be sure not to crowd the pan or the turkey will steam instead of brown. Cook 5 minutes until turkey is browned, stirring from time to time. Sprinkle cooked turkey mixture with the chili powder and salt, stirring to distribute the spices.

Stir in water, chopped chipotle in adobo sauce,drained & rinsed beans and salsa, cover and bring to a boil. When the chili comes to a boil, mash the beans lightly with a potato masher until chili is slightly thickened. Garnish with cheddar cheese (if using), sliced jalapeno peppers, grape tomato halves, chopped red onion, chopped scallions with a little of the green tops, and a slice of lime. Serves 6.


Real Margaritas 
From Ina Garten, The Barefoot Contessa Parties! 

If you like margaritas served in a glass with salt, rub the outside rims of six glasses with a cut lime and dip each glass lightly into a plate of kosher salt. Combine 1/2 cup freshly squeezed lime juice (5 limes), 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice (1 lemon), 1 cup Triple Sec, and 3 cups ice in a blender and puree until completely blended. Add 1 cup white tequila and puree for 2 seconds more. Serve over ice. If you prefer frozen margaritas, halve each of the ingredients, double the ice, and blend in two batches. Serve with a cut lime. Serves 6.


57 comments:

  1. So yummy and colorful looking! I cannot resist a good chili, especially if it is as flavorful as this one...

    Cheers,

    Rosa

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  2. Perfect after a rough day at school!

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  3. I love dishes like this because like you said...healthly, low calorie and TONS of flavor! Fun to eat too!

    We've been using lots of ground chicken (instead of the turkey) as it tends to not dry out so much but we find if difficult to find sometimes...

    Love the chipotle pepper too!!! Beautiful!

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  4. Sounds wonderful. Thanks for the tip about ground turkey. The only time we tried it, it was tough, so I will try again with a less lean type.
    Hugs,
    Penny

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  5. It's funny people either love ground chicken/turkey or they don't..you may have hit the nail on the head w/ this one..:) Thank you!

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  6. I am happy to hear I'm not the only one with a bad experience with ground turkey. I guess it depends on the recipe and this one looks realy great.

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  7. mmmm I'm lovin this recipe and especially with those chipotle peppers and rings of jalapeno.

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  8. What a beautiful bowl of chili Sam! I just saw a recipe for chipotle deviled eggs over at Cooking in Mexico. I was telling her we've been into chipotle chili powder lately, sprinkled on popcorn, waffles and chicken, you name it! This is a perfect meal with the margaritas from scratch, just in time for my lemons to be ready!

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  9. This can be on my table in 15 minutes? Let's get cooking!

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  10. This looks terrific. I, too, have been disappointed in the taste (or total lack thereof) of ground turkey. I'll look for the less lean.

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  11. Such a beautiful palette of colours, Sam! Almost too good to eat - but if I could, I would! I love how fresh and healthy it is. We have a lot of ostrich mince here, which is also really lean. I will try this with ostrich!

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  12. Sam, in addition to looking and sounding delicious, that has such a nice presentation. I would love to try this because I don't eat red meat anymore. I do, however, eat chicken and turkey. Thanks for the recipe, my friend.

    XO,

    Sheila :-)

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  13. I like the convenience of making a delicious 15 minute chili, Sam! This would be wonderful to serve on Super Bowl Sunday. The margaritas sound nice and tart -- a perfect combination with the chili!
    .

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  14. I get excited whenever I see a recipe with chipotle in it, those peppers just give off the absolute best smoky spicy flavor. This chili sounds delicious and healthy to boot, a winning combination :)

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  15. That looks so lovely and we make margarita's quite a bit down here in Florida. Chili and margarita's are a perfect combination.

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  16. Sam - That is one absolutely gorgeous bowl of chili! All the color from the garnishes.... leaves me craving a bowl :)

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  17. Looks healthy and delicious Sam - I'll ask Bev if she can eat it yet.

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  18. This looks healthy and delicious! Great photo, too!

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  19. what a beautiful bowl of chili - and with turkey to boot...I love turkey chili like this way more than beef it seems the turkey lends itself magically to the flavors and textures of the chili...

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  20. I;m definitely doing this - I got wafrmer just reding this. I'm also going to do an examiner article and link to you for them to get the recipe. I especially love how a little chipotle makes all the difference.

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  21. A delicious chili in 15 minutes? Count me in, especially with that margarita on the side ;)

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  22. Oh..you dishes are always so natural and colorful...it must be tasty!!!Hugs, Flavia

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  23. My first thought on viewing was "Super Bowl Sunday". After reading the ingredients, I'm sold!! Now, should I serve it with tortilla chips or corn muffins? Oh, I think everyone will be so happy with the margaritas that they won't care!!

    Best,
    Bonnie

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  24. Using salsa in chili is such a great shortcut! Love chipotle in ANYTHING!

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  25. oh wow in 15 min looks amazing and adore the photo could be in a magazine

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  26. Sam, I read your blog this morning and was drooling over the picture of your Chilli! I am here to say it tasted fantastic!!! Yes, I made it tonight and DH and I loved it! Thanks for a great recipe.

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  27. Your chili looks very inviting, Sam. I wouldn't even tell anyone it only took 15 minutes. This is the first time I've heard you can keep chipotle in the fridge. I'm finally going to open that can I've been keeping.

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  28. Looks fantastic. I have a friend who gives me the best homemade salsa on earth. I am always looking for new recipes to utilize it!

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  29. The photo is simply delicious and chipotles add amazing flavor to many dishes. I love the flavorful garnishes in the photo, too.

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  30. This chili looks incredible! The photo makes me hungry.

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  31. That chili looks mean and tasty; coupled with an honest margarita, I can't really think how things could be better, can you?

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  32. Such excellent vibrant colors in your delicious chili here! It sounds wonderful with the smoky flavors of chipotles!

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  33. Hey Sam...that looks great + spicy! Perfect finishing touch is that squeeze of lime.

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  34. I've been wanting to make turkey chili for ages. This looks incredible.

    Just don't go 80/20 on turkey...it's so juicy and so good, you'll be spoiled after having to go back to extra lean!

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  35. Sam,
    How colorful and yummy. I love chili especially on cold, winter days. The recipe looks so good.

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  36. I like, I like! Fabulous and easy recipe, Sam, and of course you may pass me a Margarita. Maybe two. Of course that defeats the healthy eating. :)

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  37. Splendid recipe Sam, it sounds delicious and looks amazing.

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  38. I made a double batch tonight and it is delicious and the family has lunch for tomorrow! Thanks!

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  39. And I am absolutely with you on the chipotle in adobo. They take everything long way. I can't even think about making burgers any more without them. This looks great. Thanks for the post :) - Gary

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  40. This looks wonderful! I'm going to try for our football game day on Sunday. I love chipotle in adobo sauce! Big fan of margaritas too - but only when I make them myself.

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  41. I love everything in this chili and am partial to turkey chilli. I also love saving a few calories to use up on the Margaritas, maybe even a few oven baked chips!

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  42. This is a beautiful chili! Look at all that color! When I open a can of adobo chili, I freeze them in small portions. Then I just toss them into whatever I am cooking... works great, too! They are a staple in my pantry. I love the addition of both black and pinto beans. This is a winner. As for my girl, Ina... I made her grapefruit margaritas, which were excellent!

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  43. Perfect! Love the jalapeno slices for garnish. I do like spicy!!!

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  44. now THATS one good looking bowl of chili!

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  45. That bowl is a flavor party!

    When you chop your chipotle do you split them and remove the seeds first or just throw the whole can/jar into the blender/processor?

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  46. Sam, I would dearly love to have a bowl of that chili. I'd also really, really like to have one of your Margaritas :-) Feast that can be made so easily are always a delight. Have a great day. Blessings...Mary

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  47. I love a chili any way I can get it. This looks and sounds great!

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  48. The picture of that bowl of chili is so tantalizing. I like that you garnished it with fresh cherry tomatoes and chili peppers. This looks like a hearty and satisfying recipe, which is rare when it comes to diet dishes.

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  49. Beautiful bowl of chili!!
    I'ven´t made turkey chili, I´ll try
    it; this looks delicious and healthy.
    Thanks for sharing.

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  50. I lovee a good chilli and urs is splendid equal to lodsa love!
    Am soo hungry now!
    Wonderful weekend to u...

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  51. That sounds like a winner. I have never tried the chopped chipotles in adobo sauce but I’ll look for them for sure. Another great recipe to try.

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  52. Sam, that's a beautiful colorful bowl of chili, perfect for this cold winter we are having!

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  53. I use 93% lean turkey also because I found it has the best flavor. This recipe looks really good, and it's always smart to have some quick recipes in your file for those days when you can't or don't want to spend a lot of time preparing dinner.

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  54. Sam, I an not a big fan of chili, but would love to try the turkey one...the colors of this chili is just so beautiful...and sure looks very tasty :-)

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  55. This looks wonderful. My roomate loves the spicy food, I see this in his future.

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  56. Sam, your blog is dangerous late at night. I find myself wanting to eat a giant helping of this right now, and it's LATE. You are such a temptress. There are several of you out there, and I have to watch it... or I could eat an entire platter full of this! :-)

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  57. I've got to make this chili with turkey! I've been switching out more beef with turkey instead and have seen the results without feeling deprived. The chipotles must be great in this; I add them to my summer batches of salsa and now the chipotle version is everyone's favorite. Don't you just love those Cooking Light cookbooks?

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