In the Freezer: Turkey Chili
Granted, it’s not the most seasonally appropriate dinner, but I find that a batch of turkey chili in the freezer is as comforting as money in the bank. Whether I am thisclose to wasting $10 on Chinese delivery, so hungry that I can’t even think straight, or just having one of my Texas girl cravings for a bowl of meat, this stuff always saves the day. You could go all sorts of hog wild and serve this over fritos or with a side of tater tots for that so-bad-it’s-good feeling, but my preference is just for a mess of raw, chopped onion and a tangle of chopped cilantro. Should Trader Joe’s pico de gallo be around, though, that’ll do, too; we’re talking about survival here. Whether they tap into a craving or are something you always have around, just in case, what are your emergency dinners?
Turkey Chili with Tomatoes and Beans
Serves 4-6
1 tablespoon canola oil
1 pound lean ground turkey
1 medium onion, chopped
2 teaspoons plus 1 teaspoon chili powder
2 10-ounce cans Rotel tomatoes (or two small cans diced tomatoes with hot peppers)
4 cups cooked kidney beans
2 cups beef broth, chicken broth, or water
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon dried oregano
In a large pot, heat oil over moderately high heat and add turkey and onion. Seasoned with 2 teaspoons chili powder, salt and pepper; cook, stirring frequently, until turkey becomes opaque. Add remaining ingredients, raise heat and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and let simmer until flavors have had a chance to mingle. Serve with brown rice, lots of chopped raw onion, and cilantro.
B.: My emergency dinner is a soup made with vegetable boullion cubes, a little bit of couscous, drizzle of olive oil, red pepper flakes, and whatever vegetables I have on hand. Sometimes instead of couscous, I’ll make it with rice or some kind of pasta. My boyfriend will usually make quesadillas with corn tortillas and avocado to go with it too.
Hmmm turkey chili sounds like a good comfort food.2 years ago
Mmm…quesadillas…and I don’t put couscous in soup enough. That’s a great idea.2 years ago
Ana Elizabeth: Hmmm… mine would definitely be pita pizzas. I buy a brand that is really, really soft, they almost seem like real pizza dough. I just put on them whatever I have on hand: a drizzle of olive oil, tomatoes, cheese and a sprinkle of basil and oregano; tomato salsa (which I season myself a bit so it tastes more homemade), sausage and Gouda cheese; I’ve even put chickpeas, blue cheese and corn on there! Whatever you want. Eggplant would be yummy! My beau loves them. I can make much fancier stuff, but he always asks for the pita pizzas! =)2 years ago
Amy C: This is so appropriate today. Did you see the rain? I couldn’t believe how hard it came down ALL day! I ended up eating comfort food (like chili) all day. Reminded me of autumn! I wrapped a warm sweater around me and got excited for october…
I ~always~ make a big pot of black beans and rice at the beginning of the week. I also keep at least one avocado and lime around, so no matter what, we have some really good rice and beans with fresh avocado. yuuummm….2 years ago
Bernie: PB&J. Works every time.2 years ago
Cassandra: Wow, I just finished off a bowl of vegetarian chili. I didn’t even know I was in need of comforting, but come to think of it… I feel much better than I did before I ate.
I make frittatas when I can’t think of/don’t have ingredients for anything else. I always use potatoes, then add whatever vegetable I have and put parmesan on the top before sticking it under the broiler. Hungarian smoked paprika does wonders for this dish.2 years ago
Kim Walker: Chili is one of my go-to dinners, too, but I never realized it would freeze well. Any secrets, or do you just put it in a container and throw it in the freezer?2 years ago
Ana Elizabeth, Your pita pizzas sound like a revelation! No wonder your boyfriend loves them.
Amy C, Totally. Despite my efforts to be non-seasonal, it actually kind of worked out today — totally a chili day.
Bernie, PB & J for me is like Lay’s potato chips: I cannot have just one.
Cassandra, I still can’t believe I haven’t bought myself some smoked paprika. I always look for it at the store, but I’ll have to go somewhere else and get it. Sounds like it makes everything better.
Kim, I guess I just think of it as a soup, kind of, which freezes really well. Put the chili in freezable containers, let it come to room temperature, leave a little space at the top for it to expand, then cover and freeze. You might find you need to add a little stock or water when you’re heating it back up.2 years ago
Cassandra: Sounds like you need a dose of Texas! Maybe not, it has been around 102 here. I think best, is to eat your chili and play some country music. Oh, and don’t forget the avocado, grated cheese, and embarrassingly the ketchup.2 years ago
rachael: I usually will have a batch of creamy butternut squash soup in the freezer. Divine with a nice baguette.
Our sinful go-to is a thin crust frozen premade cheese pizza, we just add some fancy toppings such as frozen shrimp, pickled roasted red peppers, garlic, arugula, goat cheese and a drizzle of truffle oil.2 years ago
Katie: My go-to comfort meal is tomato soup and Cheetos. I actually pour them in the soup – just don’t let them get soggy, though.2 years ago
Jen: Chili is definitely one of my go to’s. I just made a little pot the other night in fact and tossed in the little eggplant I had that would’ve gone mushy before i could use it. I love to throw in corn or spinach or whatever other veggies I have laying around or being forgotten in the freezer. Toppings for me: fat free sour cream, cheddar and a slice of avacado. Yum.
Other go to meals:
Risotto with onion, garlic and turkey sausage
Eggplant parmesan
Spinach and feta pizza
Chicken and dumpling stew
Quiche2 years ago
Karen: Peanut butter and fluff… we always have this in the cupboard!2 years ago
Kristina: My standard make-a-double-batch-and-freeze-half soup is Three Sisters Stew, blogged here.2 years ago
Elizabeth: I can so relate to being thisclose to ordering Chinese and needing a go-to item to satisfy a meat craving. I’m bookmarking this one. My emergency quick dinners are usually chicken green curry (Trader Joe’s sauce) over rice, or pasta with kalamata olives and capers in tomato sauce.2 years ago
Kelsey: Chili sounds wonderful, especially with all the leftovers you can put in it.
My go-to meal fix is pasta and homemade tomato sauce. The pasta cooks while I’m chopping up the garlic (and onions and peppers, if I’m feeling fancy) for the frying pan and then adding a can of tomatoes to simmer. Salt and pepper, wine if I have it, and whatever else sounds good. A copious amount of parmesan when it’s all done is, of course, a must.2 years ago
Alyson: Embarrasingly, my go-to emergency dinner is an Egg & Bacon Roll with HP Sauce. Does it help that the eggs are fresh from my chooks? You betcha!2 years ago
Lauren C: I am so excited to find this recipe! My vegetarian little sister is coming to visit me next week and I have been concerned about what I will feed her and how much money I will spend going out. I’m going to exchange boca crumbles for the turkey in this. What an affordable and healthy dish you’ve created!2 years ago
Everyone’s emergency meals sound so good — especially all that homemade tomato sauce.
Lauren C, Instead of using soy crumbles, you could also amp up the beans (or add another kind, like black or chickpeas), and add more vegetables, like zucchini, summer squash and red peppers. Just an idea!2 years ago