Article by Stephanie Krzywanski (“Chef Steph”)
Check out Chef Steph’s website “The Comfort Gourmet” at www.yourcomfortgourmet.com.
October is my favorite month. I love everything about it – the crisp autumn air, the changing colors of the leaves, FOOTBALL, and of course, Halloween. Growing up in my family, we always had chili on Halloween night. It was an easy dish my mom could throw in a crockpot before work and that would keep me and my four siblings full while we were cruising around the neighborhood in search of candy. Here is my recipe for a fall-inspired Halloween Chili. Try it this year on the 31st!
HALLOWEEN CHILI
Servings: 8
1.5 lbs ground turkey
2 Tbs. extra-virgin olive oil
2 tsp. kosher salt
½ tsp. freshly ground black pepper
2 medium green bell peppers, diced
1 large onion, diced
1 small jalapeño, minced
5 cloves garlic, minced
¼ c. chili powder
1 Tbs. cumin
1 Tbs. smoked paprika
12 oz. pumpkin beer (or lager-style beer)
28 oz. can of diced tomatoes
28 oz. can of tomato sauce
2 – 14 oz. cans red kidney beans, drained and rinsed
2 bay leaves
1 cinnamon stick
salt and pepper
hot sauce
In a large pot, heat the olive oil over medium to medium-high heat. Add the ground turkey and season it with the salt and pepper. While that’s browning, add the bell pepper, onion, garlic and jalapeño and stir. Add the chili powder, cumin and smoked paprika and stir occasionally until the meat is cooked. Next, add the beer and bring to a simmer. Simmer for 5 minutes. Add the diced tomato, tomato sauce, bay leaves and cinnamon stick. Cover and simmer 30 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add the kidney beans and simmer, uncovered, for an additional 30 minutes, stirring occasionally. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Ladle into bowls and serve with crusty bread.
About Chef Steph: Stephanie’s love of food and cooking began at an early age when she would begin the dinner preparations for her family while her mother was on her way home from work. Being a smart kid, she new that if she helped with making dinner then she would not have to help do the dishes – a tradition she still continues today for family get-togethers and holidays! Today, Chef Steph is a personal chef who specializes in in-home culinary needs such as weekly meal preparations, dinner parties, food and wine pairings and cooking instruction.
