Chili

One of my readers mentioned that she would like to make chili in a Crock Pot and I promised her I would post a recipe.
I have many Chili recipes, this recipe happens to be extremely healthy and waist friendly.  You can do this recipe in a Crock Pot as well as on the stove. The down fall to Chili recipes in a Crock Pot is that I recommend you cook the meat thoroughly before placing it in the Crock Pot.  Chili recipes tend to take a little longer to prepare as I feel the meat should be cooked before hand.  But they cook all day and the house smells GREAT!

Here is what you'll need:

(there's that crazy kid again!)

• 1 can black eyed peas, rinsed and strained (for good luck)
• 1 can black beans , rinsed and strained
• 1 can red kidney beans, rinsed and strained
• 1 package of lean ground turkey
• 1 big can crushed tomatoes
• 1 medium red onion, chopped
• 4 cloves garlic, chopped
• 1 green pepper, chopped
• 2 long hot green pepper, chopped
• 1 Jalapeno, seeds removed and minced
• 10 - 15 Jarred sliced jalapenos (this is optional)
• 3 Carrots, finely chopped
• 1 small bottle Spanish green olives
• salt and pepper
• 1 tsp cumin
• 1 tsp chili powder
• 1 tsp red pepper flakes (more or less depending on how hot you like it)

Saute the red onions and garlic in a small amount of olive oil.

Now add the Ground Turkey to the onions.  You don't have to use Ground Turkey, you can use Ground Beef instead.

Now add the chili powder, cumin, salt and pepper.

Once the meat is cooked add it to the crock pot along with the Beans, Carrots, Pepper, and Jalapeno.  Now add the crushed tomatoes and mix thoroughly.  

Set the Crock Pot to low if you plan to cook the Chili all day.  If you are more pressed for time and only have 4 or 5 hours, cook on high.  I put the Crock Pot on low as I had this all put together by 9 a.m. and was not planning on eating until 6 p.m.

When you have approximetly1 hour left until you want to eat, add the green olives.  I used Spanish olives with pimentos,  you can use any type you like.  

At this time I also added the crushed red pepper flakes and the Jarred Jalapeno slices..  This is optional and if you don't want the chili too spicy then omit the red pepper flakes and extra Jalapeno.

Sprinkle with some sharp cheddar cheese and there you have a yummy and healthy dinner.  

You can also serve this over white rice or with Tortilla Chips.