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Turkey Chili with Black Beans and Corn Plus a VISA Giveaway!

Del Monte Chili copyright 2012 Jane Evans Bonacci, The Heritage Cook

With the holiday season looming on the horizon, I start hunting for recipes that are easy to make, healthy, and will feed an army of hungry houseguests. When my mind is filled with planning our Thanksgiving dinner, I really do not want to have to fuss with regular meals; I want them to take care of themselves. I want to have things on hand that I can make ahead and that get better with time.

I love to make nourishing meals for my family and friends. When our focus turns to the sweets all around us during the holidays, it is next to impossible to focus on healthy eating. But making a few changes to your favorite recipes can make all the difference and provides a counter-balance to our typical holiday noshing.

Del Monte Chili copyright 2012 Jane Evans Bonacci, The Heritage Cook

I was asked by the fine people at Del Monte to help them spread the word about their wonderful line of products, and I was happy to oblige. I am a San Francisco Bay Area native and grew up eating Del Monte canned fruits and vegetables. They were always in my mother’s shopping cart and were the foundation for many memorable family meals.

Today’s recipe for Turkey Chili is one meal that everyone will enjoy; it can be endlessly adapted to personal tastes. It gets better as it warms on the back of the stove waiting to feed latecomers, and is very filling. You can let everyone garnish their bowls, making it extra fun for kids to create their own variations. And if you have anyone in your gang that has gluten-intolerance issues, the recipe is perfect for them, too!

Del Monte Chili copyright 2012 Jane Evans Bonacci, The Heritage Cook

By replacing the traditional beef and pork with ground turkey, you eliminate a lot of the unhealthy fats and calories. And don’t worry about it tasting like Thanksgiving dinner – the seasonings are definitively southwestern. Packed with flavor, it is a guaranteed crowd pleaser. I added a can of Del Monte Golden Sweet Whole Kernel Corn to complement the masa harina in the chili and add even more healthy vegetables and crunch.

Did you know that canned tomatoes are even healthier for us than fresh? The heat in the canning process increases our body’s ability to access and use the powerful antioxidant lycopene in tomatoes, helping to reduce our risk of cardiovascular disease. Del Monte canned fruits, vegetables and tomatoes are packed at the peak of ripeness (nearly 90% are canned on the day they are picked to lock in nutrients), do not contain any artificial colors of flavors, and the majority are grown in the United States.

Del Monte Chili copyright 2012 Jane Evans Bonacci, The Heritage Cook

It is a prize filled day at The Heritage Cook! In addition to this winning recipe (if I do say so myself, LOL) today, we have not one but two ways for you to win. You can leave a comment here for a chance to win a $100 Visa Gift Card (see details below) and then head over to Del Monte’s Facebook page and enter their “Add Some Garden™” contest for a chance to win daily prizes and the grand prize culinary tour worth $10,000!

Giveaway Entry

To enter for a chance to win the $100 Visa Gift Card, leave a comment below telling us about meals that make you feel good and that are good for you.

Rules for Contest Entry:

  1. No duplicate comments. You may receive (2) total entries by selecting from the following entry methods:

a) Leave a comment in response to the sweepstakes question above on this post

b) Tweet (public message) about this promotion; including exactly the 
following unique term in your tweet message: “#SweepstakesEntry”; and leave the URL to that tweet in a comment on this post

c) Blog about this promotion, including a disclosure that you are receiving a sweepstakes entry in exchange for writing the blog post, and leave the URL to that post in a comment on this post

d) For those with no Twitter or blog, read the official rules to learn about an alternate form of entry

2. This giveaway is open to US Residents age 18 or older.

3. Winners will be selected via random draw, and will be notified by e-mail. You have 72 hours to get back to me, otherwise a new winner will be selected.

4. The Official Rules are available here

5. This sweepstakes runs from 11/19/2012 to 12/21/2012

6. Be sure to visit the Del Monte’s brand page on BlogHer.com where you can read other bloggers’ reviews and find more chances to win!

I cannot wait to hear about your favorite healthy meals. Good Luck everyone!

Del Monte Chili copyright 2012 Jane Evans Bonacci, The Heritage Cook

Jane’s Tips and Hints:

Slow-cooked meals like chili are often better when served the day after cooking. This gives the flavors time to blend and really come together. While this is delicious on the day you make it, it is even better the next day. So throw this together and have an easy meal ready for tomorrow!

Gluten-Free Tips:

While this recipe does not contain any gluten, make sure all of your ingredients are gluten-free.

Turkey Chili with Black Beans and Corn (Gluten-Free)
Yields 8
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Ingredients
  1. Chili
  2. 1 tbsp. organic extra virgin olive oil
  3. 1-1/2 lb. ground dark turkey
  4. 1 medium onion, finely chopped
  5. 1 clove garlic, finely minced
  6. 1 red bell pepper, stem and seeds removed, minced
  7. 2 stalks celery, minced
  8. 2 (14.5 oz.) cans Del Monte Petite Cut Diced Tomatoes with Chipotle Chiles
  9. 1 (14.5 oz.) can Del Monte Petite Cut Diced Tomatoes with Green Chiles
  10. 1 (14.5 oz.) can of water
  11. 2 to 3 tbsp. ground ancho chile powder or regular chili powder, to taste
  12. 1 tsp. ground cayenne pepper, or to taste (leave out for a mild chili)
  13. 1 tbsp. ground cumin
  14. 1 tbsp. oregano leaves
  15. 1/2 cup masa harina or corn flour
  16. Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  17. 1 (15 oz.) can black beans, drained and thoroughly rinsed
  18. 1 (15.25 oz.) can Del Monte Golden Sweet Whole Kernel Corn, drained
  19. Optional Garnishes
  20. Shredded cheese, such as cheddar and/or Monterey Jack
  21. Sour cream
  22. Chopped green onions
  23. Chopped fresh cilantro
Instructions
  1. In a large Dutch oven or stockpot, heat oil over medium-high heat. When hot, add the turkey and pork. Break up large chunks with a flat-edged spatula. (If your Dutch oven is made of cast iron, reduce heat to medium.) When the meats are mostly browned, add the onion, garlic, bell pepper, and celery. Cook, stirring often until vegetables are wilted and meats are cooked through, about 15 minutes.
  2. Stir in the tomatoes (with their juices), ancho chile powder, cumin, oregano, masa harina, salt, and pepper. Make sure there are no lumps of masa in the mixture. Reduce heat to low and cook for 30 to 45 minutes or until vegetables are tender and the flavors have blended. Add a little water if chili is too thick. Add the beans and corn. Cook until heated through.
  3. At this point you can serve it, continue cooking on low for up to 4 hours, stirring occasionally, or turn it off and when cool, store in the refrigerator for serving the next day.
  4. Taste and adjust seasonings. Serve with garnishes if desired.
Notes
  1. Yield: 6 to 8 servings
  2. Make Ahead: This is one of those dishes that improves with time. Make it one or two days ahead and give the flavors time to blend together.
The Heritage Cook ® https://theheritagecook.com/

 

Unauthorized use, distribution, and/or duplication of proprietary material on The Heritage Cook without prior approval is prohibited. If you have any questions or would like permission, I can be contacted via email: theheritagecook (at) comcast (dot) net. Feel free to quote me, just give credit where credit is due, link to the recipe, and please send people to my website, www.theheritagecook.com.

The intention of the content on this site is for your inspiration and enjoyment. It is not a substitute for advice given by a licensed health-care professional. You are responsible for medically confirming any dietary restrictions and ingredient safety with product manufacturers before consuming or using any product. If you have dietary restrictions, always read the labels before including any ingredient in your cooking.

As an affiliate member, if you click on links in my posts and purchase a product, I may receive a small percentage of the sale. Any commissions received will be used to offset a portion of the costs of running The Heritage Cook. If I have received products for review or had travel expenses covered, I will disclose that in the content of each article where applicable. 

Thank You! 

Do you have any questions or comments? I love to hear from you!

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Comments

  5. Erin

    Soups incorporating home-grown veggies are my favorite nutritious meals to make. I fill in the gaps in my vegetable list with Del Monte veggies for the best flavor.

  10. Thomas Murphy

    I like to make chicken soup with veggies it always makes me feel better.

    rounder9834 @yahoo.com

  12. angie

    My vegan crockpot chili is VERY good…sinfully so some of my friends and family say…but it is nothing but tomatoes, beans, and spices. SO easy and so very healthy!

  17. anash

    I love any meal that includes cheese..it warms my heart and gives me comfort! Thanks for a super giveaway!
    My email: anashct1 [at] yahoo [dot] com

  19. LAMusing

    Most of the Greek food I make is very healthy – lots of tomatoes and other veggies and usually a little olive oil which is the good stuff 🙂

  26. Christina Tong

    The meal that makes me feel good is mixed veggie with diced tomato and black beans that is good for me too.

  35. Wild Orchid

    I love making soup! I can load it up with veggies and it is super comforting.

    Thanks for the cool giveaway!

    wildorchid985 @ gmail dot com

  36. Wild Orchid

    tweet–https://twitter.com/WildOrchid985/status/277076607464787971

    wildorchid985 @ gmail dot com

  44. MelissaO

    My go to healthy meals usually include grilled meat, rice and beans, fresh guacamole, and corn tortillas. Healthy and simple!

    wolverina401 at gmail dot com

  49. Amy Tong

    A meal that makes me feel good and good for me would be my mixed veggie pasta. easy to prepare and super delicious.

    amy [at] utry [dot] it

  51. Judith B.

    I try to stick close to vegan so I eat lots of fruits & veggies to feel good & stay healthy. DelMonte is always on my shelf.

  53. Debbie B

    I recently got a Vita Mix blender and I’m starting to eat a lot healthier by making soups and smoothies – still learning what all I can do with it

    Your turkey chili looks delicious!

  58. Susan Stahley

    One of the meals I like to make for my husband son and I is taco soup. We love it and it is healthy to eat.

  60. sy

    The chili looks really good, we like to make chili too, it’s easy to make in a big batch. I also like an arugula salad with vinaigrette dressing and dried figs, it’s tasty and easy to make.
    songyueyu at gmail

  62. Kristen

    That chili looks amazing!

    One of the things I like is spinach salad with turkey bacon or fakin bacon.

  63. Carolsue

    Something I just made is my fav! Smoked Creole Turkey Breast with zucchini and pasta salad. I use Del Monte tomatoes in the pasta salad, too! Very good.
    Digicats {at} Sbcglobal {dot} Net

  68. Dee

    I love salads and any salmon dishes! Making and eating them is always great and I feel wonderful afterwards!

  73. Lisa Brown

    A meal that is good and good for you and makes you feel good is the chicken pot pies I make that use vegetarian “faux” chicken, organic veggies, and other organic ingredients. So good!
    jslbrown_03 at yahoo dot com

  75. Karen Medlin

    With holidays one of our comfort foods to make are Turkey Pot pies loaded with veggies. Makes me feel good the family is eating their veggies

  83. Jenny

    This chili looks absolutely delicious. I love salads with grilled chicken and red peppers. I also look forward to the turkey on Thanksgiving and try to go light on the side dishes.

  86. Mandy Blank

    I like to make grilled chicken with a spice combination of garlic and paprika. Then, at the same time, I cook potatoes in foil with a little seasoned salt. So yummy!

  87. Erin @ Making Memories

    In my family, mealtime has always been a gathering. My Mom and Grandmother are AMAZING cooks so the meals were always delicious and we would talk and spend time together. Food is comfort to me for that reason.

  99. Marnely Rodriguez-Murray

    Any food cooked by my Mom, all of we will be enjoying in about two weeks when we head back home. Dominican food makes my tummy and my soul happy.