A few things I have learned about living in a Chicago winter so far…
- You bundle up in the most warm and oversized outerwear that you can imagine. Thanks to Mara, I was fully prepared for the drastic temperature plummet today with my beautiful hand knit scarf.
- You walk fast. No messing around here with leisurely lollygaging or you might get run over by someone very determined to find comfort in the warmth of the indoors.
- If you do need to walk, you plan out your journey with several short stops in random coffee shops. Don’t worry, there are hundreds of them on every street so you won’t find yourself short of a place to warm yourself.
- You consume hot liquids all day. Coffee, tea, or better yet, a hearty, soul-soothing meal that heats the entire body for hours.
Chili is my go-to winter meal. Conveniently when I make it, it usually results in leftovers for the week, which is especially appropriate for someone like me at the moment, where time is no longer an option in my schedule. Also, being more budget conscious these days, I realized it costs me about $20 to make a recipe that will produce 6-8 meals. Not bad.
Unlike me, this chili does have the advantage of time, considering it will only get better as the days go on. My soups don’t usually last longer than a week in my fridge, but if I know they won’t be eaten in that time, I will freeze any leftovers. Frozen soup can last for months.
This turkey chili was my attempt at cooking one big meal and having in last all week. I went for taste, ease, and rationality and I’m happy to say, all of the above was achieved.
Enjoy!
- 1 pound ground turkey breast
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 1 small green pepper, finely chopped
- 1 tsp minced garlic
- salt and pepper
- 1 28oz can diced tomatoes
- 1 14oz can chicken broth
- 1 jar of corn salsa (about 1 cup)
- 1 can of black beans
- 4 tbsp taco seasoning
- Heat a large soup pot over medium high heat. Add onions, pepper, and garlic and saute until they begin to soften. (about 5 minutes)
- Add the turkey, breaking up into small bits.
- Season the mixture with salt and pepper and cook until turkey meat is cooked.
- Add the taco seasoning and stir together.
- Add the tomatoes, broth, beans, and salsa and combine.
- Bring the mixture to a boil, reduce heat and simmer over medium low heat for 20-25 minutes.
I also whipped up a side of my famous pumpkin cornbread, because let’s face it, what is chili without the cornbread right?
So far, the vibrance of this city is overriding my hatred of cold weather. It’s easy to forget about the chill when you have the Chicago fever!
{ 30 comments }
Oh yes, chili in my house too this week since the temperatures decided to drop below freezing! Where is summer?
We call that taco soup at our house! So good!
so cute! mara just sent me a scarf. so talented!
Super cute scarf! I hope you stay warm out there! Thanks for the recipe
LOVE the scarf!!! And chili is just the best. Glad you’re getting in some good eats
The scarf looks adorbs! Hope you’re surviving the frigid air!
love your scarf! (: So many coffee places sounds awesome compared to the like 3 in this area that aren’t starbucks haha.
Love this recipe. Chili is my favorite in the winter. So comforting.
Yes, WINDY CITY, no joke! haha!
Very pretty scarf Mara knitted you!
Happy Monday love!
You look nice and toasty!
Bonus of stopping in coffee shops… lots of those warm beverages you mentioned!
That scarf is GORGEOUS! Would definitely come in handy as I try to survive this Minnesota winter!
Can you post your pumpkin cormbread recipe?
I’m in WI and it is chilly today!! Stay warm!
Beautiful scarf! Love the looks of that chili….simple, yet, delicious ingredients!
Mmm I’m actually having leftover chili and cornbread for dinner tonight! Definitely the best meal possible for a crazy cold day like today in Chicago!
haha you’ve got it right about Chicago. People better look up and watch out so they don’t get run into!!
Ohhh that salsa sounds great
YUMMY!
The weather in the Midwest is absolutely brutal right now! Thanks for the survival tips
.
P.s. That scarf is adorable!
I also like in Chicago & it has been down right freezing!! We eat so many soups & chilis in the winter time. Looks delicious!
Nice tips
I lived in Chicago for 4 years and the winters can be rough. My biggest issue was that I’d bundle up to walk outside and then get so hot when coming indoors that I couldn’t shed the layers fast enough!
love the scarf! There’s something about handmade gifts that just feel like “home”. Glad you’re enjoying Chicago!
You look so cute in your vest and scarf! I love visiting Chicago, but have only heard about how windy and cold the winters can be! Looks like you are a pro though!
Ah stay warm! It sounds like you already know the secrets to surviving a brutal winter! I like to carry my thermal and a handful of tea bags (Starbucks will gladly fill your mug with hot water fo free) and then I always have a hot tea on me- bonus that it keeps my hands warm when I carry it around.
I hope you’re enjoying Chicago and all it has to offer!
Your outfit is adorable!
I am a Florida girl so I would not survive a Chicago winter. We almost ended up moving there instead of California, too. I would have had to buy a whole new wardrobe!
I definitely would turn to you for style tips if I did though!
Thanks so much Sarah! I’m sure Cali is a nice alternative.
YUM! Chili is the perfect winter food. SO comforting. Pinning this! <3
Your post made me crave chili in this awfully cold weather so I made your recipe… can I just tell you this is our offical go-to recipe for chili now! It was absolutely amazing, delicious, etc. It was even better for lunch today. Love love love it!!
Ah, so happy you loved it! It’s so easy and delicious. I’ve been enjoying it almost every day this week!
Sounds like you’re figuring Chicago out
It’s a good thing that ‘oversize’ wear is so cute since that’s the majority of what you’ll be wearing for the next couple of months! Columbus is cold but it doesn’t have that extra breeze from the lake. Stay warm!!
Proud of you, Lauren! I have been anxious to know more about all 3 of your new jobs!!!
Comments on this entry are closed.
{ 1 trackback }