Happy Monday! Hope you had a nice weekend!
Well our first road trip with baby in tow went surprisingly well, actually! We only had one, pull-the-car-over-on-the-side-of-the-road-type meltdowns on the way to Minneapolis, and a smallish one on the way back. He saved all the meltdowns for when we got home on Saturday, you see. Sheesh! ; )
Seriously though, I thought the conference went really well on Friday and it was so nice to be back in Minneapolis, if only for a bit. I wasn’t that sad when I moved away almost 5 years ago, but found myself getting very nostalgic this weekend. Maybe it’s because my life is so completely different now than it was when I moved there fresh out of college. I had so much fun in that city in my early 20s!
On Friday night we spent the evening having dinner with some wonderful friends, then Saturday we hopped over to our favorite brunch place, Uptown Diner, before hitting the road back home. I had wanted to take a walk around nearby Lake Calhoun, my old running trail, but it was rainy and grey.
Hot coffee and a huge order of Cinnamon French Toast was the perfect antidote. Uptown Diner is one of the first places I ate at when I moved to Minneapolis, and it was the last place I ate at before moving back to Iowa. There are fancier places, for sure, but it holds a special place in my heart. : )
Speaking of trendy – holy cow, Uptowners – I hardly recognized the place! Uptown was super hipster and kind of old (for lack of a better word, and in a good way) when I was there, but it’s sort of becoming all shiny and new. Tons of modern condo buildings (that block the view of downtown from Stella’s Rooftop – not cool!) and fancy restaurants to choose from. Don’t get me wrong, at my age it’s stuff I find appealing, but it’s very, very different than it was just 5 years ago. Weird.
Anyway, due to the rain we decided to split and spent the rest of Saturday resting at home. On Sunday we had the whole gang over to celebrate my Mom’s birthday! Sweet Finn helped Uncle Ben deliver Grammy’s cake.
Then blow out the candles!
Here’s to another wonderful year to an equally as wonderful Mom. I’d be ecstatic to be half the Mom she is, has been, and always will be!
Now, before we left last week I saw an Instagram from my cousin featuring a big bowl of Chipotle Turkey Chili with Apples and it sounded so mouthwatering that I just had to whip up a batch ASAP. I’m glad I did because between the rain and chill in the air, it was Heavenly to reheat and cozy up with all weekend!
Chipotle Turkey Chili with Apples sounds like a crazy combo, which it is I suppose, but it totally works. If you dig unique chilis then you will absolutely love this one. It was my first pot of chili this season and I’m glad I gave the honor to this recipe – which goes from fridge to table in 30 minutes!
Lean ground turkey is sauteed with tart diced apple, spiced with smokey chipotle chilies in adobo sauce, then simmered with tomato sauce, chicken broth, and wait for it – apple cider. SO FALL. Oh, there’s a hint of cinnamon in this chili too, which is so cool! You can’t really taste it, rather it provides a delicious, yummy aroma with each spoonful.
Start the chili by cooking 1lb 99% fat-free ground turkey with 1 peeled and chopped Granny Smith Apple, and 1 large shallot (or 1 small onion.) Season with salt and pepper then cook until the turkey is no longer pink. Oh, add some fresh garlic in there too!
Now don’t be scared thinking the apple will make your chili sweet (although there’s nothing wrong with that – my all-time favorite chili recipe is Signature Spicy, Smokey, Sweet Chili!) Granny Smith apples are very tart and crisp, providing great texture and flavor in this chili, but not sweetness.
Next add lots of chili-riffic spices including 2 chopped chipotle chilies in adobo sauce + 1 Tablespoon sauce, and 2 teaspoons each chili powder and cumin.
I had leftover chipotle chilies in adobo sauce from the Pulled Pork Taquitos I made last week, so it was perfect timing to make this chili!
Next add in 1 cup chicken broth, 1 can tomato sauce, and 1 cup apple cider, which gives the chili amazing flavor. I’m dying to try this with hard apple cider.
‘Tis the season!
Finally add 1 bay leaf and 1 cinnamon stick. I was hesitant to add the cinnamon in this recipe, but it adds a very subtle flavor to the chili. Like I said, you smell it more than you taste it, which I thought was amazing.
Let the chili simmer and bubble for 10 minutes or so, then top with lots of sharp cheddar cheese, crushed tortilla chips, and freshly diced tart apple!
Chipotle Turkey Chili with Apples
Ingredients
- 1 lb 99% fat-free ground turkey
- 2 Granny Smith apples 1 peeled and both chopped
- 1 large shallot or small onion chopped
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- salt and pepper
- 2 chipotle peppers in adobo sauce chopped
- 1 Tablespoon adobo sauce
- 2 teaspoons chili powder
- 2 teaspoons cumin
- 15 oz can tomato sauce
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1 cup apple cider not apple juice
- 1 bay leaf
- 1 cinnamon stick
- Toppings: shredded cheddar cheese, tortilla chips
Instructions
- To a large soup pot over medium-high heat add turkey, the peeled chopped apple, and shallots. Season with salt and pepper then cook until turkey is no longer pink, breaking it up as it cooks. Add garlic then cook for 1 more minute. Add chopped chipotle chilies and sauce, chili powder, and cumin then stir and cook for 1 more minute.
- Add tomato sauce, chicken broth, apple cider, bay leaf, and cinnamon stick to the pot then turn heat up to high and bring chili to a boil. Reduce heat to medium then cook for 10 more minutes. Scoop into bowls then top with shredded cheddar cheese and crushed tortilla chips. Chop remaining apple (do not peel) then sprinkle on top.
If you like chili, this is definitely one recipe to add to your repertoire. I absolutely loved how smokey it was from the chipotle chilies in adobo sauce, which you can get in a can in the Mexican-foods aisle in the grocery store, and the tart apple both in the chili and top was really something to write home…or, you!…about. Hope you enjoy!
Lincoln is so adorable! What a luv bucket!! So great that you got the first trip out Of the way! I got 1000 miles one way cOming up soon! Yikes! With cranky teens!
This chili sounds so good – love the apples in there – def need to give it a try!
Oh, how I love going to your blog when I wake up wondering what to do with my ground turkey. Looks like a winner, it’s for dinner! Lincoln is so stinkin’ cute!
So glad you had fun on your road trip! And this chili – such a comforting bowl for the cooler weather! And a genius addition of the apples!
I’m not sure how I came across your blog, but I really like it! I just had to say I have a nephew named Lincoln, and his sister’s name is Finley (Fin for short) and they live in Iowa!
You have totally grabbed my attention with this recipe! I love chili (and thought it was fall, but weirdly it is going to be near 80 again this week!) but I’ve never tried adding apples or cinnamon!! I’m going for it!!!
What a super fun family weekend!! You little one is just so sweet! :)
The Fisher Price Black and White and Peek ‘n Play Apptivity apps work great for those meltdowns in the car
Funny how these things work out, I made chili this weekend (and will be posting about it) and my wife made me some French toast Sunday morning. I never contemplated putting apples in chili, good idea.
All the recipes I have tried for your blog are amazing!! And this chili looks like the perfect thing to serve when we have some good friends over in a couple weeks. Do you think I could make it ahead of time and reheat it in my slow cooker? Or after the browning meat step maybe just throw everything else in the slow cooker?
I think it might work after cooking the turkey/apple/shallots/garlic!
I didn’t try a slow cooker version yet, but I did make this for dinner last night and OMG!!! Might be my new favorite chili recipe! Sooo good!!!
You know, it does sound a bit odd. Apple, cider vinegar, chili…all in one pot. But at the same time it looks amazing. Saved it to my ziplist, going to have to give this one a try!
Its actually apple cider not cider vinegar!
Oh wow! This chili looks amazing! Can I ask what kind of turkey did you use? I struggle finding a good ground turkey that’s not slimy and grosses me out. I do most of my grocery shopping at Hy-Vee. Thanks for all the great recipes and inspiration you provide me!!! ;)
This was 99% fat free Jennie-O ground turkey. :)
Have to admit that I’m a little jealous about your trip! It’s been too long since we’ve been up there and we don’t even have an infant as an excuse! :)
This chili is my kind of comfort food!
This looks fantastic … I think I’m drooling a little. I had the same thought about hard cider; I tried a new kind this summer that I wasn’t wild about but it would probably be yummy in this and we have several bottles to use up. I also wonder how this chili would fare in the slow cooker. I look forward to giving it a try!
Aw, that tribute to your mom is so sweet. She looks so happy and is in great shape! Looks like you’ve got great genes.
you have NO IDEA how annoying uptown has become. soooo many overpriced “luxury” condos and apartments taking away from the feel of things, but then at the same time, still ultimately rich hipster-y. it’s confusing and i miss the old dirty uptown haha. (on a recipe note, this looks AMAZING! apples in chili!)
Wow! I’m so impressed by the road trip with a two month old. Congrats to you cool parents for keeping it together! Looks like you guys had a great time. This chili looks delicious! I’ll be adding it to my list of fall recipes!
You always look like you have such great weekends! I love all the photos, your family really looks so happy!!
This soup sounds so good! I love the sweet apple with the chipotle. It is one of my favorite fall pairings!
Sounded like a good short trip to Mpls…….I love that you miss it or were nostalgic in a good way! I commute downtown to my job daily and the skyline of bldgs…..never gets old to me:)
I guess IKEA didn’t happen? I suppose you and your mom will be there soon though?
Great to hear about everything in IGE’s world…..seriously. I am in heaven with the apples of the season….this recipe sounds great!
It didn’t :( Too hard transporting baby back and forth in the rain. We’ll hit it up when my Mom and I head back for our annual MOA trip for the holidays!
This looks delicious – I can’t wait to try it out.
I also wanted to say that you’re looking really good. As a new Mother too I’d love to know your tips to losing pregnancy weight.
Hi! I love your blog and mean this with the best intentions, but your carseat straps are way too loose to provide proper protection. When your infant is buckled in there should be no slack and you shouldn’t be able to pinch any slack in the straps. There are some great videos online about checking proper strap tightness on infant seats. In a crash the extra few inches of slack I can see in the picture could cause him to move forward too much and injur himself.
I made many mistakes in putting my son as a carseat as an infant and learned a lot of different things and techniques trying to correct my knowledge. So again, don’t feel bad or think that I don’t love your blog! Just wanted to point out something I noticed. Your son is absolutely beautiful!
Kristin, you forgot your disclaimer – “straps loosened for comfort when car not in motion”. LOL. Please PLEASE don’t stop posting pictures :)
I though the same thing too, but in one of the pictures it clearly looks like the car is in motion. If the straps are loosened for comfort while the car is not moving my apologies! And my comment wasn’t meant to Kristin uncomfortable or stop posting pics, so please don’t! I put my son in his seat incorrectly for months and just wish someone had pointed it out sooner, so just thought I’d throw that in there. I get there’s tons of judgement on moms on all sides, but I’m just hoping car seat safety is one thing we can have polite discourse on without making it seem like moms are trying to Shame each other rather than help! :D