Week 143: Pumpkin Turkey Chili
Happy Thursday!
I hope everyone gets a chance to get outside today to enjoy what might be our last warm day for a bit... Sadly, our forecast shows the 50's with possible rain for the foreseeable future. This week's menu was designed to help soften that blow as there's nothing like coming home to a warm, hearty bowl of chili on a cool fall day ...especially one featuring fall's favorite flavor, pumpkin!!
On the menu for TUESDAY, OCTOBER 27th is PUMPKIN TURKEY CHILI and PUMPKIN GINGER BREAD. Last year's pumpkin themed menu went over extremely well, so I thought we'd do it again!! This chili is hearty, flavorful and packed full of wholesome ingredients. The pumpkin adds a subtle sweetness to the background flavor of this savory chili.
The chili begins with sauteing red bell peppers, poblano peppers, garlic and onion in olive oil. Poblano peppers add a smoky flavor to the chili without adding too much heat. Once the veggies are soft, ground turkey is added to brown along with garlic & onion powder, paprika, cayenne pepper, cumin, coriander and oregano. Next, pumpkin puree, tomato sauce and diced tomatoes are added. Homemade chicken stock, black beans, and great northern beans are then mixed in and the chili is left to simmer until all the flavors blend together. The soup is garnished with shredded cheddar cheese, sour cream and oyster crackers. The chili can be made vegetarian by omitting the ground turkey and using vegetable stock, please just mark it on the order form if interested.
The bread companion is Pumpkin Ginger Bread. Ginger and pumpkin are two flavors that just seem to go together, like apples and cinnamon. And they team beautifully in this golden, moist bread. This tasty bread disappears quickly in my kitchen!!
On the menu for dessert this week are ALMOND AMARETTO CHOCOLATE CHUNK COOKIES. It is crazy to think, but the holiday's are right around the corner. The way we celebrate may look different this year, but one thing is for certain - holiday sweets are still needed! These cookies are a brand new offering of mine that will be featured on my holiday menu. They are loaded with chocolate chunks, sliced almonds, and amaretto - to provide the perfect nutty chocolate combination! The alcohol cooks out when I bake these cookies - but the amaretto leaves a wonderful flavor. They are also made with browned butter, which many of you know is a favorite technique of mine. Be sure to try out these delicious cookies! - Jenny from Jenny Sue Delights