3 Bean Turkey Chili w/ Johnny Cakes

Dinner Tonight: 3 Bean Turkey Chili w/ Johnny Cakes




For Breakfast on this Sunday Morning I prepared  Skillet Potatoes and Ham for Breakfast. I used 1

package of Simply Potatoes Steakhouse Seasoned Diced Potatoes and a package of Meijer Diced Ham to prepare it. Just cook the Potatoes according to the package instructions and with about 5 minutes of cooking time left add the Diced Ham. I topped everything with a Sunny Side Egg and a sprinkle of Sargento Reduced Fat Shredded Sharp Cheddar. I am a Potato Freak! Diced, scalloped, baked, or fried it makes no difference I love Potatoes! After Breakfast I did a load of laundry for Mom. Mom went on to Church and I stayed here with Dad. Someone has to be here with him all the time anymore. So anyway with the laundry started I cleaned the house, ran the vacuum and dusted. Then on outside and got the leaf blower out and cleaned the deck and driveway of leaves. Had everything done so it was time to sit back and watch some NFL Football the rest of the afternoon. For Dinner tonight a favorite of mine, 3 Bean Turkey Chili w/ Johnny Cakes.






I'm ready for some Chili! With the Fall weather in full swing its hard to beat a bowl of homemade Chili! You can use Jennie – O Extra Lean Ground Turkey Breast or Wild Idea Ground Buffalo. Either version turns out great! I had none left of the last batch in the freezer so it was time for a new batch!

To make this I’m using Jennie -O Lean Ground Turkey. The 3 Beans I use are 1 Can (16 oz.) Bush’s

Chili Beans (Black Beans), 1 Can (16 oz.) Bush’s Chili Beans ( Kidney Beans), 1 Can (16 oz.) Bush’s Chili Beans (Great Northern Beans) drained and rinsed, Then I mix in 1 Red Onion (medium Chopped or Minced), 1 Jalapeno Pepper (Seeded and Chopped), and 3 Cloves Minced Garlic. For my spices I use 1 Packet McCormick Chili Mix, 2 Cans (6 oz.) Hunt’s Tomato Paste (2 cans), 1/2 Tsp Ground Cocoa Chili Blend (McCormick), 1/2 Tsp Ground Chipotle Chili Pepper (McCormick), 2 Tbs. Ground Roasted Cumin (McCormick), 2 tbsp Ground Cinnamon (McCormick), 1 Tbs of Cilantro Leaves (McCormick), and 5 Dashes of Frank’s Hot Sauce or to taste (I usually add a lot more dashes!). What’s good about this recipe you can use your own favorite Spices and make your own tweaks to it and it turns out delicious!


First thing I do is get the Crock Pot out and put in a Glad Crock Pot Liner. The Liners are incredible, just line your Crock Pot with one and spray it with Pam Cooking Spray. Now you are set to go. It makes for one easy clean up, just remove it when done and give the inside of your Crock Pot a quick wipe down and your clean up is done! On with the recipe.

I started by opening all 3 cans of Bush Beans into a large bowl and stirred until mixed. I then added the Beans to the Crock Pot. To prepare the Turkey, I start I started by browning the Jennie -O Ground Turkey. Using a large skillet sprayed with Pam Cooking Spray and 1 tablespoon of Extra Virgin Olive Oil. Preheat the skillet on medium heat. When heated I add the Ground Turkey and all the seasonings and Tomato Paste, stirring often. When the Turkey has browned I add from the skillet to the Crock Pot. Throw in a 1/2 cup of Water, stirred twice, and put the lid on the Crock Pot and set on low for 5-6 hours.

Then sit back and enjoy the aroma that usually starts after an hour or so of simmering! I love a thick Chili and this one works! The Jennie – O Ground Turkey combined with all those Beans and spices is a perfect match. Served it topped with some fresh Shredded Dutch Gouda Cheese and a couple of shakes of Frank’s Red Hot Sauce. Also a side of Johnny Cakes, recipe below. For dessert later a Jello Sugar Free Dark Chocolate Pudding.





To prepare the Johnny Cakes (I love these…) all you’ll need is: Pam w/ Olive Oil Non – Stick Spray,

1/4 cup Extra Virgin Olive Oil, 1 3/4 cups Low Fat Buttermilk, and 2 cups Martha White Self Rising Enriched White Corn Meal Mix. Just mix all your ingredients in a large bowl. Spray your Pam on a Flat Top Griddle or large Skillet and preheat on medium low, I use the Flat Top Griddle. When the Griddle is heated add your batter. You can make the Cakes any size you want from half-dollar size to regular pancake size cakes. After the bottom side turns golden brown flip over and let the other side get golden brown.








3 Bean Turkey Chili
Ingredients
1 lb. package Jennie – O Extra Lean Ground Turkey Breast
2 Cans (6 oz.) Hunt’s Tomato Paste
1 Can (16 oz.) Bush’s Chili Beans (Red Beans)
1 Can (16 oz.) Bush’s Chili Beans ( Kidney Beans)
1 Can (16 oz.) Bush’s Chili Beans (Great Northern Beans), drained and rinsed
1 Packet McCormick Chili Mix
1/2 Red Onion (medium), Chopped or Minced
1 Jalapeno Pepper, Unseeded and Chopped
4 Cloves Minced Garlic
1/2 Tsp Ground Cocoa Chili Blend (McCormick)
1/2 Tsp Ground Chipotle Chili Pepper (McCormick)
2 Tbs. Ground Roasted Cumin
2 Tsps Ground Cinnamon
1 Tbs of Cilantro Leaves
5 Dashes of Frank’s Hot Sauce or to taste.
1/2 Cup of Water
Shredded Cheese, I use Grated Dutch Gouda or Sargento Reduced Fat Shredded Cheddar Cheese (Topping)
Oyster Crackers
Frank’s Hot Sauce or to taste.

Directions:
*Brown Turkey in large saucepan on medium-high heat 10 min. or until no longer pink, stirring occasionally. Add all remaining spices and ingredients except 1 can of the tomato paste and water.
*ADD to slow cooker and add in the remaining 1 can of tomato paste and 1/2 cup of water.
*COVER with lid. Cook on HIGH 3 to 4 hours (or on LOW 5 to 6 hours).

*Serve in bowl or mug with cheese and oyster crackers, A Tablespoon of fat-free sour cream, Chopped Onions, or serve with some home made cornbread.