Turkey Chili with White Beans, Chocolate and Coffee

This is a nice twist on white chili. The chocolate and coffee add an extra layer of flavor, which nicely complements a spicy red – Taft Street 2009 Dry Creek Valley Syrah comes to mind.

Ingredients:

  • 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
  • 1 onion, chopped
  • 1 teaspoon ground oregano
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1/4 cup chili powder
  • 1 ½ pounds ground turkey
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 1 ounce dark chocolate
  • 1 tablespoon coffee beans, finely ground
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1 x 28 ounce can tomatoes in juice
  • 2 cups chicken broth
  • 2 x 15 ounce can white beans, rinsed and drained

Cooking Instructions:

  1. Heat oil in large pan. Cook onion until soft, 6 – 8 minutes. Add oregano and cumin and stir for a minutes. Add turkey and stir until no longer brown.
  2. Stir in chili powder, bay leaves, chocolate, coffee, salt and cinnamon. Add tomatoes and broth. Bring to boil, reduce heat and simmer for 45 minutes.
  3. Add beans, discard bay leaves and cook for 10 minutes. (Can be made a day ahead.)

Diced red onion, shredded cheese, chopped cilantro and sour cream can be served as condiments.  Cornbread also goes well with this dish.