Crock-Pot Pineapple Sausage Chili

Mmm, this is my new favorite chili. It's the perfect amount of spicy and the pineapple flavor just makes it so delicious! Perfect for chilly February evenings!

Recipe adapted from here.

Ingredients:
24 oz Italian sausage (I use 16oz mild an 8oz hot, but you can adjust to change the spiciness)
1 medium onion, diced
1 20oz can pineapple tidbits
4 14.5oz cans diced tomatoes with chili seasoning
1 15oz can black beans, rinsed and drained
1 6oz can tomato paste
1 1/2 tbsp chili powder
4 tsp ground cumin
2 cloves garlic, minced
shredded cheese for topping

Directions:
1. Cook sausage and onions in a skillet over medium heat. Drain off fat and put sausage and onions in a slow cooker.
2. Drain the pineapple, reserving the juice and fruit separately. Add the juice to the slow cooker. Store fruit in the fridge for later use.
3. Add seasoned tomatoes, black beans, tomato paste, chili powder, cumin, and garlic to slow cooker. Stir everything to combine.
4. Cook on low for 6-8 hours or high for 4-5 hours. Add pineapple and stir 30-60 minutes before finished cooking.
5. Serve topped with cheese.

(sausage + onions)

(sausage + onions in the slow cooker)

(all done!)

Ta-da!

Enjoy!

Stir-Fried Green Beans and Turkey with Rice

Who knew that ground turkey could taste delicious in an Asian dish? I've been a ground turkey fan for a while, but even I was skeptical about using it in this recipe. But oh my goodness... it's just so yummy! You'll need a few weird ingredients from the international aisle at the grocery store (hoisin, chili garlic sauce, seasoned rice vinegar), but I think it's worth buying them... you'll want to make this dish over and over again, and there are plenty of other yummy recipes to use them in!

Recipe adapted from here.

Ingredients:
2 cups rice, uncooked
1 tbsp sesame oil
1 bunch green onions, minced
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 lb ground turkey
2 tbsp chili garlic sauce (in the international foods aisle)
2 tbsp hoisin sauce (in the international foods aisle)
1 tsp crushed ginger
1 lb green beans, washed and ends trimmed
1 tbsp low sodium soy sauce
1 tbsp seasoned rice vinegar (in the international foods aisle)

Directions:
1. Cook rice according to package directions.
2. In a large skillet, heat sesame oil over medium-high heat. Add green onions and garlic and saute for 2 minutes. Add ground turkey and saute for 5 minutes, separating into pieces with a spatula.
3. Add in chili garlic sauce, hoisin sauce, and ginger, and stir until mixed. Add green beans and soy sauce and stir.
4. Cook until green beans are slightly tender (about 10 minutes).
5. Add in rice vinegar and allow to cook for one more minute.
6. Serve over rice!

(green onion + garlic)

(ground turkey)

(after adding green beans and soy sauce)

Ta-da!

Enjoy!