15 Minute Chili

Yesterday I had to take Grand Master H to the doctor. H is four. He doesn't want to do anything he doesn't want to do. Ever. 

He doesn't like to go to the doctor unless he is tagging along to watch his sister get shots. He might be a sadist.

He has a nasty rash on his left leg that is spreading and is now on the move to colonize his right leg.

H trying to spot the doctor before the doctor spots him!

He likes the toys in the waiting room. He likes the lollipops.

Other than those two things, he has no use for the doctor.

In fact, as we waited, he announced in his stage non-whisper that, "I hate Dr. C!" Not the way to make yourself popular, or avoid painful procedures, my little friend!

In hindsight, I am not overly fond of the Dr. C we saw yesterday. He was kind of gently trying to tell me that Baby C's weight might be a little high for her height. There was kind of a little unspoken, "you don't want her to end up like you, do you?" My gut reaction was to tell him to suck it. She is 2, for Christ's sake. I will be damned if I am going to "start watching her in-between meal snacks."

I may be in the market for a new pediatrician. I am not sure if it was just my PMS over-reacting, or if his concerns are legit. I am leaning toward him over-reacting.

The negotiations were complicated and involved bribery. Don't judge, it was a desperate move, I admit it. I have to use what I can here, people. I have stubborn-ass children. Let me just say, for the record, having smart AND stubborn children sucks.


In other news, my children won't wear clothes most days. Most days it looks like a trailer park down the dirt road near Crazytown around here. I have two kids running around, semi-nude, clad only in diapers, yelling their heads off. I can only imagine what the neighbors think.

Earlier this week, Grand Master H came running down from his room, shouting that he needed a napkin, "FAST!"

When I asked what the emergency was he stated the following: "There is poop all over the floor. Mommy, you can get the big one and I will get all the little ones!"

I will let you use your powers of imagination to picture what I found I when arrived in his room. This is supposed to be a food blog, after all!

Taking a little break after sprinting around the kitchen island for about 10 minutes.

A few days later, I stupidly put Baby C down for a nap wearing only a diaper. I tried to get her dressed, but she threw a hissy fit and ran away. She does that a lot.

When I went up to get her a few hours later, she announced that there was, "Poop in my bed." Naturally, I freaked. I saw several loads of disgusting laundry in my near future. Turns out it was a false alarm, she had peed all over her beloved Silkie and several stuffed animals, but no poop. A million thanks to ye gods of all things intestinal!

So, enough already about the bathroom, or non-bathroom habits of my wayward children.

Back to the chili recipe, woman!

Yeah, yeah, yeah. I know. Who the the hell eats chili when the temperature is hovering in the 80s? Well, Mr. Smith requested this. When Mr. Smith actually goes to the trouble to request something by emailing me a link, I pay attention. I trot right out to the store and I make that recipe, dammit! I am that kind of wife.

It should be said that I am not a fan of chili. The idea of red meat in soup just gives me the willies. The turkey works very nicely for us instead of beef, but if you prefer beef, go for it.

The great thing about this recipe is I had most of the ingredients, so it was a no-brainer. I need more of those.

Also, it is quick and that is always appealing. We have a kind of wacky non-schedule schedule around here. Being married to Mr. Smith is very similar to being married to a doctor. I never know when he will be home, when he had lunch, etc. I just cook when I feel like it and if somebody eats it, I am happy. If they don't eat it, we have great leftovers.

This recipe does not call for salt or hot sauce, but it needs a little of both. You use your discretion here. Tastes are so individual as far as these two things are concerned, I can't give you measurements.


Ingredients

1 pound ground turkey
1/2 cup chopped onion
1 teaspoon minced garlic

1 16 oz. can pinto beans, drained and rinsed
1 16 oz. can kidney beans, drained and rinsed
1 28 oz. can chopped stewed tomatoes
1 tablespoon chili powder
1 tablespoon cumin
1/2 cup salsa

Salt and pepper to taste
Tabasco sauce to taste

In a large pot, brown turkey with chopped onion.

Add beans, tomatoes, garlic, chili powder, cumin, and salsa to turkey mixture. Cook until hot.

Serve with cornbread, tortilla chips, cooked pasta, cooked rice or on top of a baked potato. Sprinkle with cheese or top with sour cream.

Adapted from SparkPeople.com

Makes 4 servings.