Turkey Pumpkin Chili

It's pumpkin (and apple!) season!

But first, let me explain my absence over the past week. As I've said before, I moved last weekend. The apartment was quite a mess when we got here and we had to do a lot of cleaning, etc. to make it ready. All of my furniture was moved in last weekend, but I planned on moving the smaller items over in several trips over a few days. 

Well, on Tuesday, my car decided it didn't want to run anymore. The transmission, alternator and gas tank all needed to be replaced, and the cost to replace them FAR exceeded the value of the car.This presented a problem since I was half moved into my apartment and half moved out of my dad's house. I didn't really have enough in either place to be comfortable. Add that to the fact that i start clinical this week 40 minutes away from my apartment and have to get there too early for even the commuter rail. 

So on Thursday, I bought a new car. However, the title had not gotten to the dealership yet, so I could not actually use my new car. So that meant a weekend of not moving, not grocery shopping, not seeing friends, and generally sulking around my dad's house. 

But! I get the car tomorrow and just in time to start clinicals on Wednesday. I also started classes again today with a nice 13 hour-long day. Ugh. 

Anyway, this chili was the first meal made in my new apartment. My cooking stuff and normal photography stuff is still at my dad's but I decided to post anyway. But now that I will have transportation again, I can move that stuff over. 

Also, pumpkin!

Kielbasa with Pasta, Beans and Spinach

I love sausage of almost any type, but it isn't always Weight Watchers friendly. When I saw this recipe using some of my favorite ingredients, I knew I had to try it out! I adapted this recipe very slightly from the Weight Watchers cookbook Fresh, Fabulous, Fast. It really lived up to the title. I was in a rush because I wanted to get the recipe photographed the night I made it and I was quickly running out of sunlight. The downside to the change of seasons! Luckily it came together in under a half hour and I was able to snap the pictures you see here.

And don't worry, the apple and pumpkin recipes are coming soon!

Greek Turkey Meatloaf

Ladies and gentlemen, introducing the most un-photogenic recipe ever. Seriously, I tried. But there was just no getting around how ugly this is. Don't let the looks fool you, though. This meatloaf is delicious. The flavors all blend together to create something wonderful. My favorite parts were the little slightly burnt pieces of feta sprinkled throughout. Can you say flavor??

I'm hoping to get back to blogging on a more regular basis. I've been in a bit of a funk recently due to a set of bum knees and even more recently seemingly constant migraines. I'm not working until I have surgery to correct my knees and I finally think I have a solution to the migraines. Since this semester is almost over and I'm not working, I thought it was a perfect time to focus even more of my blog so I don't just spend my days sitting around and feeling sorry for myself.

Back to the meatloaf. I served this with an Orzo and Spinach Salad (recipe tomorrow!) and it was perfectly filling. Seriously, you need to try this meatloaf out quickly. I swear it tastes nothing like the picture looks.

Spiced Turkey Burgers

I'm so sorry for neglecting this blog. I'm taking my last two nursing school prerequisites and I also work full time. Now that I am learning to manage my time a little bit better, I hope to be bogging regularly again! To make it up to you, I have an absolutely delicious recipe. I mentioned before that I went out of state to visit some nursing schools and while away I stayed with my aunt for a few days. One night, she made these turkey burgers and I knew that they needed to be shared ASAP. So here they are!

I cooked these on my George Foreman grill, but they would also be great broiled if you don't have one or it's too cold to use an outdoor grill. The spices are not exact, so feel free to adjust them to your taste.

I ate these without a bun because we didn't have any around. The would be fine with one and worked very well over a salad as well.

Slow Cooked Barbecue Turkey Chili

To me, chili is the ultimate comfort food. It is pretty much guaranteed to make you feel all warm and cozy inside. I almost always make mine with ground turkey instead of beef, but that can be substituted in this recipe also. I don't really notice a difference, and in fact I think I actually like it better with turkey instead of beef.

I put this recipe into the slow cooker before I left for work so that it would be ready when I got home. I don't usually get home from work until 11-11:30 at night. When I was on my break, I got a text saying that the house smelled wonderful. When I got home, two bowls were already gone from the chili. Therefore, I did not get to calculate the serving size, but this recipe makes 6 servings.

Also, the pictures are not that great because I was in a hurry to eat it. I photographed it a day after I had tried it and didn't feel like trying to get that perfect shot. It will definitely be made again, and then I might update the pictures.

This chili has a bit of a kick to it, so if you don't want that substitute regular diced tomatoes and use mild chili powder. 

Leftover Turkey Picadillo

This recipe is a great way to use up leftover turkey, and if you are like me, you have plenty of it. Picadillo is a traditional dish in Latin American countries. Don't be put off by the strange ingredient list, this dish tastes really good and smells amazing as it is cooking. Picadillo is traditionally cooked with olives, but since I detest them, I left them out. You can vary this recipe by adding almonds or other herbs or spices. I served this with tortillas and topped with lettuce and onions like tacos one night and then served with rice another night. Both ways tasted delicious.