Traditional Portugese flavors are added to turkey chili to set it apart from other chili recipes. The Chourico/Linguica smoked sausage along with smoked paprika add an unexpected deliciousness. Serve leftovers for breakfast topped with a sunny-side up egg
2 T. butter or canola oil
1 large red bell pepper, chopped
1 large red onion, chopped
2 stalks celery, chopped
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 lb. ground turkey meat
1 smokey sausage, Chourico or Linguica, diced into small, even pieces
1 c. dry white wine
1/2 c. tomato paste
1 t. chili powder
1 t. smoked paprika
2 sprigs rosemary, tied together into a bundle
1 bundle curly parsley, for garnish
1 - 2 c. water, as desired
In a large skillet, sautee onions, garlic, bell pepper and celery in butter or oil. Add the diced sausage; cook until slightly browned. Deglaze skillet with a little white wine, being sure to stir up little bits that are at the bottom of the skillet (not the whole 1 c. white wine). Add ground turkey, cook for several minutes until it's no longer pink.
Line the crock of the slow cooker with a slow cooker liner for easy clean up.
Add this cooked mixture into the lined slow cooker. Add tomato paste, spices, the remaining white wine, rosemary and water. Cook on Low 4 hours.
Remove the rosemary.
Serve alone or with cooked rice or cooked macaroni pasta. Garnish with parsley.
**Serve leftovers the next day for breakfast by topping it with a sunny-side up egg, a little cilantro and hot sauce, if desired.