Black Bean and Turkey Chili

3 tbsp olive oil
2 cups chopped onions
2 tbsp chopped garlic
1-2 jalapeno peppers, seeds removed; minced.
2-3 bay leaves
1 tsp cumin
4 - 15 oz cans black beans
1 lb lean ground turkey, cooked
salt and pepper to taste

In a large saucepan that can later be covered, saute onions in olive oil over medium heat until soft. Add garlic, jalapeno, bay leaves and cumin. Cook for several minutes, stirring frequently. Add black beans (no need to drain the beans). Add water to cover the black beans by an inch or so.

How to proceed from here depends on how you like your beans. I like my beans soft and creamy, so I cover the beans and increase the heat. Check the beans after five minutes or so. If the beans are soft, mash some of them with the back of large wooden spoon or spatula. Otherwise, wait a few minutes and then smash. (You may need to add more water to make the beans soft enough. Don't worry about watery beans; you can reduce them later.)

Once beans are soft and smashed to taste, reduce if necessary by increasing heat and stirring frequently, if not constantly. Add the cooked ground turkey several minutes before serving.

This is also great without the turkey for a vegetarian meal or side dish.

Number of Servings: 6

Recipe submitted by SparkPeople user PAMELAK52.