25 clever ideas to make life easier

25 clever ideas to make life easier

Fast, low fat, low carb, AWESOME chili! Tastes just like Wendy's chili!

So I got the basic recipe for this years ago from my friend Jami.  It had never occurred to me to use canned chili beans to make up a quick pot chili.  Jami threw some beans in a crock pot with ground beef and chili seasoning, and bam a few hours later, chili!  Well I LOVE Wendy's chili.  I love all the veggies they put in it.  It's also pretty low cal.  This is my version.  It's super fast, easy and oh SO good!

My version:

Total time 45 mins
15 for prep and 30 to cook

2lbs of ground turkey
1 52 ounce can of Ranch Style Beans
1 large can of diced tomatoes
1 whole onion
1 whole bell pepper
2-3 cloves of garlic
2 tablespoons of olive oil
salt and pepper to taste

Dice onion, bell pepper and garlic (I buy the big jar of diced garlic), saute them in the olive oil on medium heat in a dutch oven or large soup pan.  Add salt and pepper to taste.  Add in ground turkey and cook until browned.  Add the entire cans of beans and tomatoes, juice and all. Let it simmer on low for about 30 mins. uncovered and the juices will thicken up perfectly.

After adding the beans you will probably want to add a bit more salt.  I go easy on it with the veggies and then taste it again after everything is added.  If you like it spicy I suggest adding red chili flakes.  I'm a wuss and like mine mild.  You can also add a package of chili seasoning, but I really don't think it needs it.  Plus it helps keep it lower in sodium.  The chili beans really have enough flavor for the whole dish. I let mine sit for about 10 mins before serving.  It is awesome.  I think it tastes VERY much like Wendy's chili, but I will let you guys be the judge of that.

This can also be done in a crock pot after you get the veggies and turkey sauteed.  Just throw it all in there and set it on low for a few hours or high for about an hour or so and it's done. If you like your chili topped with sour cream I suggest plain Greek yogurt instead.  It's MUCH better for you and you will hardly know the difference.  Be sure to let me know what you guys think if you try this.  Thanks and enjoy!

My first post!

I'm so excited to start this blog.  I really love sharing ideas about cooking, crafting and helpful hints.  Instead of posting it on facebook here and there,  I thought this was a  much better idea.  The reason the blog is called Made by Mila, even though my name is Deborah, is because my kids gave me that nickname years ago.  Since then it has slowly stuck with most close friends and family.  These days I hear Mila way more than I do Deb or Mom, and to be honest love it!

I love to cook and craft and the easier the better.  I also love to do things on the cheap.  Dollar Tree is my favorite store!  I come across lot's of great ideas online and will be sharing those as well.  I don't really follow too many recipes myself, but rather use them as ideas and tweek them to be my own.  So anytime tweeking takes place I will be sure to make that clear. I hope you guys enjoy following my posts as much as I will enjoy sharing them.

Thanks friends!

Deborah (Mila)