SPICY TURKEY SAUSAGE CHILI!

Serves: 8

Ingredients:

6 ounces hot turkey Italian sausage

2 cups chopped onion

1 cup chopped green bell pepper

8 garlic cloves, minced

1 pound ground sirloin

1 jalapeño pepper, chopped

2 tablespoons chili powder

2 tablespoons brown sugar

1 tablespoon ground cumin

3 tablespoons tomato paste

1 teaspoon fresh oregano

1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

1/4 teaspoon salt

2 fresh bay leaves

1 1/4 cup merlot (or other fruity red wine)

5 to 6 plum tomatoes, coarsely chopped

1 can (15 ounces) kidney beans, rinsed and drained

1/2 cup shredded reduced-fat sharp white cheddar

Directions:

Heat a large Dutch oven or large soup pot over medium-high heat. Remove casings from sausage and add to pot with onion, bell pepper, garlic, sirloin, and jalapeño. Cook 8 minutes or until sausage and beef are browned, stirring to crumble. Add chili powder, brown sugar, cumin, tomato paste, oregano, pepper, salt, and bay leaves and cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly. Stir in wine, tomatoes, and kidney beans and bring to a boil. Cover, reduce heat, and simmer 1 hour, stirring occasionally. Uncover and cook for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally. Discard bay leaves and sprinkle each serving with cheddar cheese.

Nutrition score per serving: 244 calories, 9g fat (3g saturated), 18g carbs, 22g protein, 4g fiber