turkey chili

thank you, curtis stone.

mmmmm i saw this being made on one of the last episodes of the biggest loser [YAYYY DANNY!!!!!] and just had to have it. on the show it was served inside of a baked potato. i haven't done that yet, but i see it in my imminent future.

TURKEY CHILI [a la chef Curtis Stone, as seen on The Biggest Loser]

the following recipe makes a big potful!

3 T olive oil
2 onions, medium diced
2 garlic cloves, minced
2 small red chili, seeded & diced [i only had yellow chilis - they seemed to work jusssst fine]
2 t ground cumin [plus more to taste later on]
2 large carrots, peeled & diced
2 celery stalks, diced
2 small yellow bell peppers, seeded & medium diced
20 oz [1 package] Jennie-O ground turkey, lean
8 medium sized tomatoes, medium diced
16 oz [2 cans] black or white beans
6 c [1 bag] baby spinach
1 T freshly ground pepper
1/2 t ground cayenne pepper [to taste]
1/2 t chili powder [to taste]
1/2 t red pepper flakes [to taste]
salt [to taste]
1/4 c plain Greek style yogurt [optional]
fresh cilantro, chives to garnish [optional]

1. Heat large saute pan on medium-high heat. Add olive oil. When oil is hot, add onions, garlic, and chili. Saute until tender.
2. Stir cumin in to onion mixture.
3. Add carrots, celery, bell pepper and saute for another 10 minutes or so, until veggies begin to get tender.
4. In a separate pan, heat up the remaining olive oil and then brown the turkey on medium-high heat - then transfer to the vegetable pan.
5. Add beans and tomatoes and cook for another 15 minutes or so, stirring occasionally, until the tomatoes have begun to break down.
6. Stir in the spinach and remove from heat.
7. Season with above spices or spices your choice.
8. If you are going the baked potato bowl route, at this point you will slice open the baked potato and create a bowl for your delicious chili. Spoon in chili, top with yogurt and garnish and EAT!