CrockPot Turkey White Bean Pumpkin Chili

I have a love/hate relationship with cooking. I've mentioned this several times before.

I love looking for recipes and checking out food blogs. I have a subscription to Rachel Ray magazine, I'm always getting cook books from the library. I can sit and watch Food Network for hours! Paula Deen is my hero! Love her ya'll!

The hate part of this is I hate cooking the same thing over and over again! In between working all day, then home real quick for homework and dinner, then off again to whatever sports event the boys are playing, there's not alot of time for a gourmet meal. I swear we are going to turn into chickens we eat so much of it!

So searching for something different I found this recipe, Crockpot Turkey White Bean Pumpkin Chili. You're probably thinking that's a weird combination. I thought so too, but the board I got it from gave rave reviews. I'm not the biggest fan of turkey, and have never had white beans, but it's was something different and NOT CHICKEN!

So at 5am this morning - ok, ok...it wasn't exactly 5am. The alarm went off at 5am, I got out of bed about 5:15am, but that's still 30mins earlier than I normally get up! Geesh! Half asleep, I went downstairs to prepare the chili. Let me tell you, it smelled so GOOD! I wish I could be home to smell it while it's cooking! Let's just hope it taste good too! I will come back later and let you know.

If you'd like to try the recipe, go here. Or just look below.

sidenote: you can tell I'm not a professional food photographer. I should have wiped off the top of the crockpot before taking the picture, but it was 5-something in morning! That was the last thing on my mind!

Edited for results: chili was yummy! I really liked it. The boys ate it, but said they liked the "regular" chili better. Fonzy(hubby) liked it too. Next time I make it, I will add more chili powder - wasn't spicey enough.

Crock Pot Turkey White Bean Pumpkin Chili

Servings: 9 •
Serving Size:1 cup •
Calories:182.6 •
Fat:2.3 g •
Protein: 23.3 g •
Carb:10.9 g •
Fiber:8.8 g • Sugar: 2.1
Sodium:429.8 (without salt)

Ingredients:
cooking spray (I use my misto)

2 lb 99% lean ground turkey

1/2 tsp olive oil

1 small onion, chopped

3 garlic cloves, minced

1 tsp chili powder, to taste

2 bay leaves

2 tsp cumin

1 tsp oregano

2 (15 oz cans) of white northern or navy beans, rinsed and drained

15 oz can pumpkin puree (not pumpkin pie filling)

4.5 oz canned chopped green chile

2 cups low sodium, fat free chicken broth

fat free sour cream for topping (optional)

chopped cilantro and chives for topping (optional)

salt and pepper to taste

Directions:
Heat a large heavy saute pan over high heat and lightly
spray with oil.Add meat and cook, breaking it up until white, about 5 minutes
Add to crock pot.
Add oil to the saute pan, then onions, garlic, sauté about 3 - 4 minutes;
Add cumin and sauté another minute.
Add to crock pot.
Add beans, pumpkin puree, green chilis, broth, chili powder, oregano, and bay leaves.
Cover and cook on high for 4 hours or low for 8 hours.
Remove bay leaves and adjust seasoning to taste before serving.
Enjoy!