Andrea's Killer Santa Cruz Turkey Chili

My best friend did Weight Watchers a few years ago and turned me onto Turkey Chili as a great high-fiber, high-protein, low-fat meal that is easy to make, easy to store, and always a crowd-pleaser. Over the years I have been experimenting with the mix and I think I have a real winner here! I use organic and local ingredients when I can (for the canned stuff, Trader Joe's has inexpensive organic canned beans, tomato sauce, corn, etc.). It is easy to do a veggie variation, too. Enjoy!

Ingredients

 * 1 lb of ground turkey or chicken (for veggie, sub 1 cup each cubed zucchini and carrot)
 * 1 large yellow onion diced large
 * 2 cloves of garlic, minced or crushed
 * 1 tbsp ground cumin
 * 1 tbsp cayenne pepper
 * 2 tbsp dried oregano or Italian seasoning mixture
 * 3 tbsp olive oil
 * 2 x 16 oz cans of tomato sauce (1 chunky and 1 smooth)
 * 2 x 16 oz cans of whole black beans
 * 1 x 16 oz can of yellow corn
 * 1 x 4 oz can of green Ortega chiles, diced
 * 1 x 4 oz can of chipotle (fire roasted jalapeño) chile in adobo sauce (You will not use this whole can! Just 1 – 2 chiles is all this recipe needs - this stuff is hot!)
 * 1 beer (light beer or Mexican beer is best)
 * 1 tbsp of dark molasses
 * 3 tbsp cornstarch
 * salt and pepper

Accompaniments

 * Avocado, Sour Cream, Cheese, Green Onions and fresh cornbread are great accompaniments! (For calorie counters, use light sour-cream, reduced calorie cheese...etc).

Directions

 * 1) Open your beer, pour yourself half into a glass to enjoy.
 * 2) In a large soup pot, heat oil over medium heat.
 * 3) Sautee onions and garlic until onions start to clarify.
 * 4) Add a tsp each of salt and pepper * add ground meat (or fresh veggies, if that is your choice) * mash the meat up with the onions, sprinkle with cumin, cayenne pepper, and oregano.
 * 5) Sautee 5 minutes or until meat begins to brown.
 * 6) Pour the other half of your beer into the pot and stir for another minute or so.
 * 7) Add in green chiles.
 * 8) Take 2 chipotle chiles from the can, and dice them up.
 * 9) Start by adding one chile plus about a teaspoon of the adobo sauce, and reserve the other to add later if extra spiciness is required. The rest of the can can be saved in a ziploc in the fridge. These keep well for future dishes.
 * 10) Add the corn, beans, and tomato sauce, and another tsp of salt.
 * 11) Stir in the molasses.
 * 12) Cover and simmer at medium-low for about 30 minutes.
 * 13) Add cornstarch to thicken, and then taste.
 * 14) If you want it spicier, add more of the chipotle chile.
 * 15) Salt to taste.
 * 16) Enjoy!