What A Chili Day

Midwest temperatures dropped to the high twenties the night before last as the area moves closer to winter. Though warned, waking to frost on the roof is a sure sign one's breath will be visible in the outside air. As chilly as it is outside, temperatures inside can get warmer quickly with a big batch of homemade chili slow cooking on the stove. Chili provides plenty of nutrients, lots of protein, outstanding flavor, and the Sonoma Diet folks list it as a preferred meal, especially when out and wondering whether to purchase McDonald's nuggets or Wendy's chili. Go with the chili.

Making chili is easy. Pour enough good quality olive oil into a fry pan to coat it, to a depth of less then 1/8 inch, then add one large diced onion, 2 cloves of mashed and diced garlic, as much celery as you have in your house cut into small pieces, and saute until soft. Add chunks of the ground turkey and continue cooking until all the turkey is sauteed. Salt and pepper to taste. Add some dried basil and a few shakes of oregano.

In a large pan pour in one 30 ounce can of diced tomatoes, one 28 ounce can of undrained kidney beans, and two 15 ounce cans of undrained black beans. Mix well. Pour the onion/garlic/turkey mixture into the pot of tomatoes and beans and mix together. Add chili powder, how much depends on your taste buds, but I use about 3 to 4 tablespoons. To cut the acidity of the tomatoes, add 1/2 teaspoon of sugar and mix well.

If one doesn't regularly consume beans, one might find comfort in Beano, a popular product used to prevent intestinal discomfort and to help the body digest beans. To further understand Complex Carbohydrate Intolerance, check out this fact sheet. This beautiful and aromatic chili mixture will continue to cook slowly on low heat on the stove for an hour. Keep mixing so it doesn't burn and add additional salt and pepper as needed. While this makes a wonderful lunch or dinner, it is also a splendid breakfast, topped with a dollop of sour cream, shredded cheddar cheese or Greek yogurt. Soon the chill of the day will be gone and chili will be warming your inners.