Easy Turkey Chili

 This time of year always has me uneasy. As a warm weather girl, the idea of shorter days and fewer rays of sunshine make my heart ache. But at the same time, there’s just something about crisp, fall air that makes me excited to go to town warming up with homemade soups and broken-in sweatshirts.

Last weekend, there was less moisture in the air (and frizz in the hair), and it truly felt like fall was nearing. Other folks might be rejoicing about football season, but in my kitchen, we’re rejoicing for soup season! It’s finally here, and we wasted no time in ushering in the good times.

First up was a natural choice: chili, the trustiest soup a homecook can make. It’s homey, spicy, and warms both body and soul. I can make it a thousand times and still crave more. To make this even more user-friendly, I threw this in the slow cooker. Not only is it great to walk in the house to the smell of spicy goodness, but it also gives the flavors extra time to meld together and develop complexity. If you’d rather use the stovetop, just let the chili simmer as long as you can before you serve. 

Easy Turkey Chili
Ingredients:
1 onion, diced
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 tsp. chili powder
1 tsp. oregano
½ tsp. cayenne pepper
16 oz lean ground turkey
2 yellow squash, diced
1 green pepper, diced
1-2 jalapeno peppers, minced (adjust to your spice liking)
14 oz. can of golden corn, drained and rinsed
14 oz. can of black beans, drained and rinsed
28 oz. can of diced tomatoes with juice
¼ cup tomato paste
1 cup chicken stock
1-2 tbsp. chili powder
2 tsp. oregano
1 tsp. cayenne pepper
Dash of cumin

Directions:
1. Saute the onion in a large skillet until translucent. Add in garlic and continue sautéing until fragrant. Add in first round of spices.
2. Brown the ground turkey in the skillet.
3. Add the turkey-onion mixture and all remaining ingredients into a slow-cooker. Mix thoroughly. Cook on low for 8-10 hours. Serve with a slice of fresh avocado, a sprinkle of cheddar cheese, and a dollop of sour cream!

P.S. I thought you would enjoy this photo—my morning commute was interrupted unexpectedly on Wednesday morning when the track, and the metro train I was on, lost power in a tunnel between stations. We were stuck for about an hour, but it was long enough to make friends and begin planning a return to home to work in pajamas for the remainder of the day. Sadly, power came back on, and ultimately, I was off to work. A little spice for the middle of the week!