What’s Cooking Wednesday with Christine Bell

Here at Entangled, we like to read.

(Bet you would never have guessed that.)

So we also love quick-n-easy recipes that free up more time for us to indulge in our favorite past time.

Each week we’re sharing some of our favorite recipes to help you find a few extra minutes in your day to enjoy your next favorite book!

This week a special guest:

Christine Bell‘s “You’d Never Know it Was Turkey” Chili

(Lots of servings for a big crew)

Who tried it: Christine Bell, author of Guardian for Hire

Why she likes it: Bubbling on my stove as we “speak”, I’ve got some turkey chili! Skeptical? I swear, it’s a great recipe for a healthier version of this family favorite, and even the most diehard beef chili purist will tell you, it’s “slap your mama good”. (Sidebar: I would never slap my mama. Partly because I love her dearly, but also partly just due to straight fear. She is like a ninja with a wooden spoon and, even at 70, I’m pretty sure she could kick my ass). Give it a go and you be the judge:

Ingredients:

3 pounds ground turkey

1 large yellow onion, chopped

1 TBS butter

1/2 jar of tomato sauce (I use Classico four cheese)

1 cup chicken OR beef broth

2 cans (8 oz) diced tomatoes (I use the ones with garlic and onion, or green chilis and garlic)

1 large (32 oz) can canned kidney beans, drained

1 tablespoon garlic, minced

8 tablespoons chili powder

1 tablespoon Lowry’s seasoning salt (add more to taste)

1/2 teaspoon white pepper (if you have it)

1/4 teaspoon ground cayenne pepper

1/2 teaspoon ground cumin

1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper

3 shakes of worcestershire sauce

1/2 tsp gravy master

Directions:

In a large pot, melt butter over medium heat and add chopped onions. While onions cook, heat a large saute pan to median high and add turkey. Add 1/2 of the chili powder and seasoning salt and then cook turkey until brown, mincing the meat with a spatula as you go.

Once onions are cooked, add garlic to pot with them and let sit for a minute but don’t brown. Once the garlic has been heated through, add the cooked turkey and all the other ingredients to the large pot. Bring to simmer and then reduce heat to low and cover for 30 minutes or more, stirring occasionally. Taste and adjust for preferred spice/salt level. For more heat, add more cayenne. For more depth of flavor, add more chili powder. Serve with sour cream, shredded cheese and corn bread on the side.

With all that extra time not spent in the kitchen, what’s Christine currently reading?

I’m knee-deep in a re-read of one of my favorite psychological thrillers called Sharp Objects by the amazing Gillian Flynn. I read it once a year or so, just to see if it makes me feel the same way it did the first time I read it, and man…it so does. Not only does Gillian have a super original voice with highlight-worthy quote after highlight0worthy quote, she also writes truly chilling characters. If you haven’t read it and love dark thrillers, man oh man, get it. It’s a winner.

**Be sure to pick up Guardian for Hire for just 99¢!**

He’ll protect her at any cost…

Sarabeth Lucking’s life is turned upside down when the couples’ retreat she works for winds up embroiled in the biggest scandal of the year. With her reputation in tatters, she can’t imagine things getting worse, until her former co-workers are rubbed out, and a bad-ass, ex-Army Ranger shows up hell-bent on protecting her. She shows him the door, perfectly content with letting him go find someone else to brood over. Right up until her car explodes into a ball of flames…

Gavin McClintock grew up on the streets of Edinburgh, so protecting Dr. Stick-Up-Her-Rear isn’t on his bucket list. Still, a promise is a promise, and, after her brush with death, he’s going to do whatever it takes to keep Sarabeth safe. When she finally sheds her librarian-in-mourning look in favor of a sexy new disguise, the revealing clothes and new hairdo bring out the spitfire she’s been hiding beneath that shell of propriety. Maybe the doc isn’t the only one in need of protection…

Christine Bell is the USA Today bestselling author of contemporary romances, and one half of the happiest couple in the world. She doesn’t like clowns or bugs (except ladybugs, on account of their cute outfits), but loves movies, football, and playing Texas Hold ‘Em. Writing is her passion, but if she had to pick another occupation, she’d be a wizard. She loves writing fun, sexy romances, but also hopes to one day publish something her dad can read without wanting to dig his eyes out with rusty spoons.