The Ultimate Comfort Food Without all the Calories: Hearty Turkey and Veggie Chili

I love making chili :).  It's just the absolute best thing when it's raining outside and you just feel like snuggling up on the couch with a good book (or in our case 10 episodes of 24!).  It's easy and nutritious and only gets better the longer you cook it.  It's also easy to freeze for the perfect mid-week instant meal.  I usually start mine around 2PM and then we eat around 6 or 7.  You don't actually cook it the whole time, but allowing the flavours to meld together on low for a couple of hours is really the trick...at least we think so!  Hope you enjoy it as much as we always do :)

You will need:

1 pound ground turkey (ground chicken is good too, but I prefer the flavour of turkey)
1 can red kidney beans (drained and rinsed well)
1 can chickpeas (drained and rinsed well)
1 can lentils (drained and rinsed well)
4 cups chicken or vegetable stock (Mine is already salted, but be sure to season if you're using unsalted)
1 can plum tomatoes
1 can diced tomatoes
3 small red potatoes, diced
3 large carrots, diced
3 stalks celery, diced
1 large onion, diced
2 cloves garlic, minced
Handful fresh oregano, diced
2 tbsp cajun spice (buy the Dan-d-Pak one that's premixed)
2 tbsp paprika
1 tbsp cumin
Fresh chives (for garnish)
Bio yogurt (for garnish)
1 avocado (for garnish)

In a large stock pot, heat about 2 tbsp of vegetable oil over medium heat.  Add ground turkey and diced onion and stir until turkey is cooked through and a bit brown.  Pour in chicken stock to de-glaze the pot.  Add plum and diced tomatoes, all beans/lentils, carrots, celery, potato and garlic.  Turn heat to medium low, and cover with a lid for about 45 minutes, stirring occasionally.  Remove lid and add all herbs and spices and turn heat to low, allowing to simmer for as long as you can!  Sometimes I need to add a little extra water at this point depending on how thick the chili has become...it really just depends on your preference of thickness.  Once it looks how you want it, garnish with yogurt, chives and avocado and serve!  Cheddar cheese is also a delicious addition, but not so health conscious if that's what you're going for...Enjoy!