Recipe Day: White Turkey Chili

This is one of the terrific ways I've found to repurpose the bird after you get tired of the same old platters after a couple days.  This version of chili does not use tomatoes, and is a delicious twist on an old classic that you can sub chicken for as well.

White Turkey Chili

• 1 tablespoon Olive oil
• 1 large chopped onion ~ about 2 cups
• 1 small chopped red pepper
• 3 ribs of celery, chopped
• 1 tablespoon chipotle pepper in adobo sauce (I usually take what I need from the can, and freeze the rest in a ziploc bag to use later)
• 3 chopped garlic cloves
• 3 cups chopped, cooked turkey (or chicken)
• 2 cans cannellini beans, rinsed and drained (or you favorite white beans)
• 2 cans chicken broth
• 1 small can diced green chiles
• 1 cup corn
• 1 tablespoon cumin
• 1 1/2 teaspoons chili powder
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon pepper
• 1 cup milk
• 1/2 cup chopped cilantro

Heat oil in large stock pot over medium high heat.  Add onions, celery, red pepper, chipotle, and garlic.  Saute until soft, about 7 minutes.  Add turkey, beans, broth, green chiles, corn, cumin, chili powder, salt and pepper. Bring to a boil and simmer for about 20 minutes.  I use an immersion blender and give it a few whirs to thicken--it give it a creamier consistency.  You can also use a potato masher and mash to desired consistency as well.  Add milk, and simmer for another 20 minutes, stirring occasionally.  Top with fresh cilantro.  Goes well with the usual chili accompaniments:  sour cream, cheese, hot sauce.

Barb Welsh has lived in Herndon for about 12 years and has two sons aged 9 and 11. She is a member of the Herndon Patch Mom's Council and regularly blogs at www.obsessmuch.com.