Best Ever Turkey Chili

Apparently the mild 50 degree weather we had this past weekend was all a delicious dream because it’s cold again! So warm up with this chili recipe that I found & have been making all winter (when I'm not making this one). It has some really great flavors (spoiler alert - there's cinnamon & beer in there!). The best part is that it’s a pretty quick cook so you don’t have to let it simmer for hours but I’m sure if you have that kind of time in your day it will only taste better & better the longer it cooks - but it tastes great right off the bat. Naturally, I bulk mine up with extra veggies - so I’ll note in the directions which are optional.

Kale & Cherry Pepper Mac & Cheese

Well hello from 2014! I realize there has been radio silence from my end since the start of this new year. Honestly, I was debating what my obligatory resolutions would be. I still really don't know but I have a giant list & have definitely been inspired by BexLife's list.  When I figure it out I'll let you know. What's yours?

In any event, the start of the new year makes me want to be a better person - by bettering my relationships & trying new things.  Right before the holidays I was spoiled by some much needed girl time with some of my best friends.  We visited The Celler at Beecher's in NYC (twice for some of us in a week's time) & all agreed that their kale, mama lil's peppers mac & cheese was worthy of multiple repeat orders during the same dinner (!!!). So naturally, I wanted to try to recreate it at home & I think I came pretty close.  It's not baked but rather more of a macaroni with cheese sauce which means less cooking time - yay! Plus, if you're skipping out on carbs this year (or first full week of 2014 at least until you realize that is for the birds) you could probably just make the cheese sauce (although there is a tiny amount of flour in it) & pile it on top of steamed broccoli or spaghetti squash for a low-carb option. Try it yourself & see what you think.