A Good One-Dish Meal

You wouldn't call chili fancy food, and yet some folks start adding all kinds of ingredients to yield a subtle nuance of heat, texture, flavor and aroma. This recipe for Greek Chili uses garbanzo beans and kidney beans, with garnishes of green onions, feta cheese and Greek olives.

Chipotle Olive Turkey Chili is easy to prepare and great for entertaining. It's a white chili using a combination of classic Texas pinto beans, ground turkey, amber beer and assorted spices. The most exotic spice in the recipe is chipotle chili powder, which is available at most grocery stores. Although this is a white chili, it looks more traditional in color.

America's chili preferences are as unique as each person holding the spoon. Top it with cheese, spice it with hot sauce or add a secret ingredient. Make it sweet with sugar or add spaghetti. For many people, it's the ultimate one-dish meal.

Greek Chili

Ingredients:

12 ounces lean ground beef
1/2 cup chopped onion
1 tsp. minced garlic
1 to 2 Tbsp. chili powder
2 tsp. dried oregano leaves
1 tsp. ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp. dried mint leaves
1 Tbsp. unsweetened cocoa
one 28-ounce can diced tomatoes, undrained
one 15-ounce can garbanzo beans, undrained
one 15-ounce can dark red kidney beans, rinsed and drained
2 tsp. honey
6 cups cooked macaroni, warm
sliced green onions and tops, crumbled feta cheese and sliced Greek olives, as garnish

Preparation:

Sauté ground beef, onion and garlic in large saucepan until ground beef is browned, about 5 minutes; add spices, herbs, and cocoa and cook 1 to 2 minutes longer. Stir in tomatoes, beans and honey; heat to boiling. Reduce heat and simmer, covered, 15 minutes; uncover and simmer until thickened, about 15 minutes. Spoon chili over macaroni in bowls; garnish with green onions, feta cheese and olives.

Yield: 8 servings

Source: Bean Education and Awareness Network