Miss Coleen's Cheater Turkey Chili

Ingredients:
2 tbl vegetable oil
1 lb ground turkey (or ground beef)
1 turkey kielbasa (or Polska kielbasa)
1 medium white onion, coarsly chopped
2 peppers, coarsely chopped (I always use 1 red, 1 green)
1 jalepeno, chopped (optional)
4 cloves garlic, smashed
1 beer (the darker, the better)
1 can light kidney beans
1 can dark kidney beans
1 can diced tomatoes OR 1 can tomato paste
Spices: cumin, smoked paprika, chili powder, bay leaves, oregano, thyme - to taste
Liberal amounts of both liquid smoke and Frank's Red Hot (to taste- I like it hot and smokey!)

Directions:
In dutch oven over medium heat, heat oil and add onion. Cook appx 5 mins. Add peppers and garlic, cook until softened (not browned).

Increase heat to high, add meat and cook. Add spices and hot sauce. Deglaze with beer and liquid smoke.

When meat is browned, add beans and tomatoes with most of the liquid of both. Reduce heat and simmer for 1+ hours. This "cheater chili" can be eaten within 30-45 mins, but the longer it cooks, the better it tastes.

Serve by itself (yum!) or with sour cream, cheddar jack cheese, and cilantro (yummer!)

Recipe courtesy of ~ Yours truly!

Ok, so my one problem when it comes to chili -besides the obvious of loving it and eating it in mass quantities- is that I don't measure ANYTHING when I make it. I literally throw things into the pot until it smells right. (yes, I have this other problem that I cook 95% by smell - my friend at work makes fun of me for it). I also like it super chunky so I don't chop up my veggies very small (which I suppose is really personal preference). I think I had measurements on the original recipe that I used when I first started making it, but that all went out the window when I started changing things (the other thing that my friend at work doesn't let me live down- I halfway cook based on recipes, because I next to always add in my own flair). The best part of this chili is that it doesn't take all day to make. I usually let it cook for at least 35-40 mins, unless I have time to let it cook for like 2-3 hours which is when it is PERFECT.

Key ingredients are: beer (obvi) and liquid smoke. Do not (I repeat, DO NOT) skip these two ingredients. That is all.

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Eggy Muffins

Ingredients:
Must haves...
   Eggs (use the # eggs as the # of muffins you are making, and +1 egg -- a serving is 2 muffins)
   Cooking Spray (I use good ol' fashioned Pam)
   Salt and Pepper to taste (and any other seasoning you would like in the eggs)
   Green onions are highly reccomended
   Veggies and cheese
   ***See below for combination ideas

Equipment...
   Muffin tin
   Whisk
   Large bowl with a pour spout or large glass measuring cup
   Baking sheet

Directions:
Preheat oven to 375

Beat eggs with whisk in bowl/measuring cup. Add salt/pepper and desired seasonings.

Spray muffin tin liberally with cooking spray. Add veggies (if using leaf lettuce/etc put this down first and layer other veggies on top) and cheese. Pour egg over veggie in each muffin tin - fill appx 2/3 of the way full.

Place muffin tin on top of baking sheet (to catch the mess that may or may not poof over the side) - bake for 20-25 minutes.

If you are eating immediately, eat 'em while they're hot!!
If you are storing for future, let 'em cool, and store in plastic baggies (I just put 2x in each baggie to grab and go for breakfast)

***Veggie ideas....the combinations are endless!...
Torn spinach leaves + shredded RF cheddar cheese
This was the first combo I tried. I didn't have green onions so I ignored that suggestion slash recommendation... but it DEF needs something to give it more flavor.

Arugula + chopped jalepeno + shredded RF italian blend. To the eggs, I added garlic powder, onion powder, and a little ground mustard, AND I sprinked paprika on the top once everything was poured.
OMG ok so this was a GREAT 2nd try. Awesome flavor (a little kick!). I am currently eating it for dinner.

Recipe courtesy of Pinterest ~ If you search "Egg Muffin" you get a ton of ideas.
The one I based Try#1 off of can be found on KalynsKitchen.com.

SO - I think my absolute favorite part of this recipe is how dynamic it is. A cross between a fritatta and a quiche, this is such a tasty little morsel. I originally wanted to do it for an easy and healthy grab and go breakfast that would fill me up, but then I was making them tonight and realized I didn't have much for dinner, and EUREEKA! Dinner! The possiblities really are endless, I am super excited to try a greek combination using feta cheese and olives! Holy cannoli...yumm-O!

.....oooh cannolis are for another day. Got a great recipe for you on that one ;)

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Turkey Taco Salad



Ingredients:

For the meat...

   1 pound ground turkey

   Taco Seasoning (You can use the packets but they are LOADED with sodium and gross stuff.

   I actually make it myself, see below)

   1 can black beans

   1 can diced tomatoes (optional- I use sometimes)

 

For the salad...

   Romaine lettuce (appx 1 head per person)

   Tomatoes

   Cucumbers

   Black olives

   Red onion

   Salsa (I use Pace Picante, medium)

 

For the "taco"...

   Reduced fat shredded cheddar

   Avocado (optional- but highly recommended for texture and to cool it a little)

   Sour Cream (optional- I use sometimes)

   Crushed Tortilla chips (optional- I use sometimes)

 

Directions:

Brown turkey in pan. When cooked, add taco seasoning and a little water. Stir to coat. Add black beans (and optional diced tomatoes). Heat through.

 

Combine salad ingredients on plates.

 

Top with meat and "taco" ingredients.

 

Recipe courtesy of... Me!

 

I love love LOVE Turkey Taco Salad (usually on Tuesdays!) -- tonight it had to happen on a Monday. The salad can obviously be changed to your liking. Personally I am fundamentally against the pre-made taco seasoning packets. They are loaded with sodium, and all sorts of processed junk. I make the seasoning myself... I got this spice combination years ago online somehwere - it tastes better, I promise!!

 

BONUS RECIPE - My homemade taco seasoning

1 Tbl chili powder

1/4 tsp each of garlic powder, onion powder, red pepper flakes, oregano

1/2 tsp paprika

1-1/2 tsp cumin

1 tsp each of salt and pepper (I definitely don't use this much of either)

 

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