I checked another item off my 30 Things I Want to Do Before I Turn 30 list:

#26: Learn how to make a turkey chili. That tastes GOOD.

I wish I had taken a good picture … but to be honest my roommate Adam, my boyfriend Eric and I ate it up so fast that …. we kind of forgot. I tried to take a camera photo picture …. but it looked GROSS. So you’ll just have to trust me on this one.

I did get a testimonial from Adam, my roommate. Or at least stole it from Facebook – that counts right?

The chili was delicious and pretty freaking good FOR you (it’s made with TURKEY and a bunch of vegetables. The only way to fatten it up REALLY is to add cheese and sour cream. Which I obviously did. And some guacamole. BUT AT LEAST THAT IS GOOD FAT!). I did also end up adding some hot sauce – because I like my food to hurt me. Best of all? It took no time at all to make!

INGREDIENTS:
* 1 pound of extra lean ground turkey (you could add a bit more if you prefer a meatier chili)
* 1 cup coarsely chopped onion
* 1 red bell pepper, cut into 1/4-inch cubes
* 4 cloves garlic, minced
* 2 jalapeño peppers, seeded and minced
* 1 tablespoon chili powder
* 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cumin
* 1 1/2 teaspoons ground coriander
* 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano leaves
* 1/2 teaspoon dried marjoram leaves
* 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
* 1 (16-ounce) can of low sodium whole tomatoes, drained and coarsely chopped
* 2 fresh tomatoes, washed and diced.
* 8 ounce tomato sauce
* 1 (16-ounce) can black beans, drained and rinsed
* 1 (16-ounce) can kidney beans, drained and rinsed
* 1 can of corn, drained and rinsed
* 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped (optional. Especially if you think it tastes like soap. FREAK. I’m looking at you Dink.)
* 3 scallions, washed and chopped (to be used as a garnish)
*4 tablespoons low fat shredded Cheddar cheese

DIRECTIONS:
In a large stockpot, combine turkey, onion, red pepper, garlic, jalapeño peppers, chili powder, cumin, coriander, oregano, marjoram, and red pepper flakes. Cook mixture over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally, until turkey is no longer pink. Stir in tomatoes (canned, fresh and sauce) and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer uncovered for 10 minutes. Stir in beans and cilantro. Continue cooking for an additional 10 minutes. Serve (for an extra punch of flavor, serve topped with cheese, a dollop of sour cream and guacamole!). Makes about 10 cups.

I modified a recipe I found here.

I added: kidney beans, corn, the two fresh tomatoes, and scallion garnish.

I subtracted: the cinnamon and second can of whole tomatoes (used two fresh ones instead).

If I had not made those additions/subtractions, the nutritional run down is as follows (before the addition of sour cream and guac):

Nutrient Analysis – per serving
Calories 220
Fat calories 20
Total Fat g 2.5
Sat Fat g 0.5
Chol mg 40
Sodium mg 190
Total Carb g 23
Fiber g 8
Sugars g 6
Protein g 29
Vitamin A IUs % 50
Vitamin C % 90
Calcium % 8
Iron % 15

NOT BAD!!!

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I made a list of 30 Things I Want to Do Before I Turn 30. Feel free to keep up with my progress (as I check things off my list) here.