Herbed Turkey and Veggie Chili

This delicious chili is the result of desperately trying to fit more vegetables in my diet.  I just threw a bunch of stuff together and it has since had many reincarnations.  It's a winter staple in our house and with us being a family of 2, it feeds us for several days or, it can be conveniently frozen in portion sizes to make a quick meal at a later date.

Ingredients:
1) 15 oz can dark red kidney beans
2) 15 oz can light red kidney beans
3) 1 10 oz can diced tomatoes with green chilies
4) 1 10.75 oz can tomato puree
5) 1 12 oz bag frozen mixed vegetables
6) 1 pound 93% lean ground turkey
7) 1/2 large white or yellow onion
8) 1 tsp garlic powder
9) 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper
10) 1/4 tsp ground cumin
11) 1 tsp extra virgin olive oil

**(Note: I know this seems like a lot of ingredients, but it's quick to assemble, I swear!)

Directions:
Preheat oil in large skillet or dutch oven.  While it's preheating, dice onion.

Once the oil is hot, saute onion until soft, about 3-5 minutes.  Add ground turkey.

Break up turkey with a wooden spoon and add spices.  Combine well with the onion.  Cook until meat is only slightly pink in the middle, about 6 minutes.


Before adding beans and diced tomatoes, be sure to rinse them WELL.  Canned anything has a ton of sodium; rinsing them before using greatly reduces the salt intake and gives you a better tasting dish.  Once rinsed, add to skillet.  Combine well.

Add bag of frozen veggies and mix well.  I recommend frozen over fresh because fresh tend to get mushy if you simmer the chili too long; using frozen, they are still crisp-tender once the chili is finished.

Finally, add can of tomato puree.  Be sure to mix the chili well; it might look a little runny, but as it simmers, some of the liquid will evaporate and the chili will thicken.

Allow chili to simmer on medium-low for approximately 30 minutes, stirring only occasionally.  I tend to set the kitchen timer for 15 minute increments to remind me to stir.

Enjoy!  I usually serve with peanut butter sandwiches on whole grain, whole wheat bread with natural PB, but feel free to experiment :)