A Last Minute Quick Chili

The recipe for a delicious chili, in case of culinary emergency!

Who has not faced those moments when someone suddenly shows up at your door and you need to quickly come up with a meal to serve. Or, how about a last-minute request to bring a dish to a friend's party! These are the reasons why I always have certain ingredients on hand at home. 

I did not have frozen corn this time around but had some leftover cooked garbanzo, shredded cabbage, and green onions. I also had vegetable stock, canned beans, and canned tomatoes in my pantry. I also always have a tub of tomato paste in my refrigerator as well. I had some frozen turkey in my freezer, so I just quickly defrosted it to use in this homemade chili.

With a few of those ingredients, I managed to put together a delicious healthy chili recipe that was easy to make within half an hour. If I had to bring it to a party, I would transfer it to a crockpot to bring it over. I, then, quickly reheat it on high once there. 

1 tsp. canola oil

1  lb. ground turkey

1 large onion, diced

1 celery stalk, diced

2 garlic cloves, minced

1 can (15 oz.) diced tomatoes

2  oz. tomato paste

1-1/4 cup vegetable stock

1 tsp. of thyme

1 tsp. oregano

2 tsp. cumin

2 Tbsps. chili powder

1/4 tsp. cayenne pepper

12  oz. cooked kidney beans or pinto beans

1/2 cup cooked garbanzo

Salt

To decor: Shredded red cabbage and green onion

Heat the oil in a deep pan over high heat. Add the ground turkey and brown slightly. Usually, ground turkey does not have much fat rendered. If using other meat, remove the excess fat rendered, before adding other ingredients. 

Add the onion, celery, garlic, and mix thoroughly. Stir in the tomatoes, tomato paste, vegetable stock, herbs, and spices. Bring to a boil and reduce heat. Simmer, uncovered, for 20 to 30 minutes. Stir occasionally to avoid scorching on the bottom of the pan. 

Add the cooked beans, garbanzo, and bring to a simmer. Adjust seasonings and serve immediately with shredded cabbage and green onion slices on top.

Categories: : Recipes