3 Bean Turkey Chili w/ Johnny Cakes

Dinner Tonight: 3 Bean Turkey Chili w/ Johnny Cakes




Sort of a cool morning to be May 15th, 39 degrees with a cool breeze blowing. To start my day off I

had a scrambled eggs (2 medium size eggs) and a couple of toasted slices of Healthy Life Whole Grain Bread topped with I Can't Believe It's Not Butter. After Duke Energy cleared the woods out behind us we've had a problem with Carpenter Ants, as has our neighbors. We haven't had a big problem with them but enough to be annoying. So tomorrow several of us have a Pest Control coming to end those problems. So today it was cleaning the house day. Vacuum and dusted and had to pull everything out from the sinks in 2 bathrooms and the kitchen so they can spray. So most of my day was spent cleaning so I didn't make it over to see Dad, probably wont make it over till Tuesday. He's doing about the same, hope he can recover well enough to make it back home. For dinner tonight it's Chili for a Chilly Day! I prepared 3 Bean Turkey Chili w/ Johnny Cakes.



 It had been a while since I made the Turkey version of my 3 Bean Chili. That was until a couple of weeks ago. I made some and there wasn't any left to freeze! So Mom had been wanting more, as I did, so that's dinner tonight! I'm using the Jennie -O Lean Ground Turkey that Jennie - O had sent me earlier in the week, thank you Jennie - O!



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

Chili 3 Bean 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, Then I mix in 1  Red Onion (medium Chopped or Minced), 1 Jalapeno Pepper (Unseeded and Chopped), and 4  Cloves Minced Garlic. For my spices I use 1 Packet McCormick Chili Mix, 2 Cans (6 oz.) Hunt’s Tomato Paste (2 cans), 1 Tbs 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!).



To prepare it I start 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 plastic liner lined Crock Pot. Throw in a 1/2 cup of Water 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 spices is a perfect match. Served it topped with Sargento Reduced Fat Shredded Sharp Cheddar Cheese and a couple of shakes of Frank’s Red Hot Sauce. Also a side of Johnny Cakes. (Recipe Below)



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. To serve I placed mine on a plate and topped it with my 3 Bean Chili and Shredded Cheese. And now it’s Comfort Food Heaven! Chili and Cornbread are meant to be together! For dessert later a Healthy Choice Dark Fudge Swirl Frozen Greek Yogurt




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 Tbs 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.




Johnny Cakes (My way)

Ingredients:

Pam w/ Olive Oil Non – Stick Spray

1/4 cup Extra Virgin Olive Oil
1 3/4 cups Buttermilk
2 cups Martha White Self Rising Enriched White Corn Meal Mix

Directions:

Just mix all your ingredients in a large bowl.
Spray your Pam on a Flat Griddle or large Skillet and preheat on medium low, I use the Flat 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. Serve while warm and enjoy!